Preach Magazine Issue 1 - Winter 2014

Winter 2014
CREATIVITY AND
INNOVATION IN
PREACHING
Exclusive interview with Rev Kate Bottley: the Keeping your Preaching Jesus the Great Innovator
Philip Yancey reluctant preacher Fresh Nicholas McDonald Dr Geoffrey Stevenson
page 16 page 37 page 38 page 44
LWPT8173 - Preach Magazine - Issue 1 v3.indd 1 17/10/2014 12:53:26

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CONTENTS 3
Contents
WINTER 2014
Regulars
4 Editorial
15 Column: David Hull
16 Interview: Philip Yancey
32 Reviews
37 Column: Kate Bottley
42 Preaching Problems
52 Poem
58 Pulpit Bloopers 16 52
Playing to
Features your audience:
to what degree does
context shape the
message?
24
Sarah Lothian
Foster & Son:
The spiritual journey of
a second generation
legend Nathan Foster
on life with God
6 Keep your
preaching
fresh:
four methods.
38
10
Nicholas
McDonald
What are the right

Serials and wrong places
Jesus
5 Preach the news for creativity and
innovation in preaching? the great
21 Stand and Deliver
A conservative and a liberal innovator
30 View from the Pew
44
give their answer. Georey
54 The Late Greats Tim Ward/Edward Dowland Owen Stevenson

4 WELCOME
From your editor COUNCIL OF

REFERENCE
Hello and welcome to the first ever David Bracewell Zoe Ministry
(www.zoeministry.co.uk), author,
edition of Preach magazine! and previously Rector of Saint
Saviours, Guildford
W
e have been dreaming and Charlie Cleverly Rector of Saint
planning and working for Aldates, Oxford, author, and on the
months and are so excited that EVERY ISSUE OF PREACH WILL New Wine leadership team
we can finally reveal the fruit HAVE A MAIN THEME. OUR Andy Frost Director of Share Jesus
of our labours. Whether you preach FIRST ISSUE EXPLORES THE International
every week, or once in a blue moon, TOPIC OF CREATIVITY AND Malcolm Duncan Chair of the Spring
we are hopeful you will find plenty to INNOVATION. Harvest Planning Group, Senior
interest, inform and inspire you within Minister of Gold Hill Baptist Church,
these pages. Founder and Director of Church and
Community, writer and broadcaster.
Preach magazine was born from a the best orator in history, tell us about
desire to better fulfil the mission creativity in preaching? And just to Ruth Gee President of Methodist
and objectives of the Leaders of Connexion 2013/14, Methodist minister
whet your appetite, the theme of issue 2
Worship and Preachers Trust is Preaching for the Planet. We already Richard Littledale Baptist minister,
(www.lwpt.org.uk). These are to have some great contributors lined up. author and broadcaster
support preachers and leaders of Mark Meynell Associate Director,
worship through grants, information I hope you enjoy the magazine. When
Langham Partnership International,
and in particular, resources. In the you are done with it, dont forget to author and cultural commentator
past, weve produced Ichthus magazine, recycle or better yet, pass it on to
someone else who might find it useful. Ruth Valerio Academic, activist,
which contained some resources, but
author. Churches and Theology
also a lot of charity news that wasnt
Director, A Rocha UK
necessarily of wide appeal or relevance
to preachers. Ichthus continues to exist
as a charity newsletter, but all our
preaching content from now on will
be in this magazine and online at
www.preachweb.org. Preach resources, available in print
and online, are provided by LWPT.
Every issue of Preach will have a main
Editor
theme. Our first issue explores the
Jo Swinney
topic of creativity and innovation.
How can we stay fresh and interesting Design
Adept
in our sermons? How creative do you www.adeptdesign.co.uk
have to get to communicate to your
Advertising
particular context? What does the Jo Swinney Contact ads@lwpt.org.uk
recorded teaching of Jesus, arguably Editor
Editorial oce
The Leaders of Worship
and Preachers Trust
PO Box 2352, Watford, Herts.
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Wed love to hear from you whether it is T 01923 231811
thoughts on the features, ideas for future issues,
WRITE experiences and inspiration about preaching, or
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Leaders of Worship and Preachers Trust promotional
use only. For all other uses, please contact us.

PREACH THE NEWS 5
Preach the news

Genital Mutilation (FGM) and forced to churches under pressure or
conversion to Islam are widespread. even attack; Pauls prayer for the
Ephesians in 3:1421 is a good
Among the persecuted groups are
template for our own.
Iraqi Christians, whose plight in the
city of Mosul where until recently #3 LOVE YOUR ENEMIES. One of
there had been a Christian presence the most controversial statements
for thousands of years caught the in Jesus Sermon on the Mount is
attention of the West. As a show of Love your enemies, and pray for
solidarity, many Christians in the those who persecute you (Matthew
West have incorporated the Arabic 5:44). This is extremely dicult in
letter into their social media profile any circumstance, but especially
pictures, donated to charities working when the perpetrators are so
in the region, and performed various brutal. Nevertheless we are called
campaigning actions. as Christians to love and pray for
IS, not to hate them.
Controversy has erupted around
British citizens who are suspected of
travelling to the Middle East to join
Points for prayer
IS, while Christian Aid reports that a Pray for Christians, Yazidis and
worsening humanitarian situation all facing persecution and terror
CRISIS IN IRAQ requires urgent investment. The US in Iraq that they have strength
has begun a military operation and peace, and that they find
Each fortnight on PreachWeb, against IS, but it is unclear how safety.
Martin Saunders considers involved Barack Obama will want to
how to tackle current aairs Ask that his will might be done in
become with another conflict in Iraq.
from the pulpit. Here he looks the situation, that justice would
Meanwhile, Christians in the UK feel
roll on like a river (Amos 5:24),
at the horrendous events in helpless and frustrated as they search
and that this conflict might come
Iraq in the first half of 2014 for ways to authentically respond to
to an end.
what is going on.
Whats the story? Ask God for help in building

Connections bridges and friendships with
The fundamentalist group Islamic the Muslims in your community,
State (IS, formerly known as ISIS) #1 PEACE. The Bible is full of calls to
especially during this time when
is instigating a rebellion in Iraq; live in peace, including Psalm 34:14,
our two faiths are apparently in
thousands of people including Hebrews 12:14, and Isaiah 2:4; Jesus
conflict.
many Christians have been arms Peacemakers in his Sermon on
killed, attacked or displaced the Mount. Our role as Christians is to
by the insurgents. seek peace, not become angered and
motivated toward revenge.
Whats happening? #2 PRAY FOR THE PERSECUTED.
In Northern Iraq, persecuted While James tells us to embrace our Martin Saunders
groups are fleeing for their lives trials because perseverance eventually Martin Saunders is
Youthscapes Deputy Chief
on a massive scale to escape the increases hope (James 1), and while Executive. A former editor
of Youthwork magazine and
threat of IS militants. Reports Jesus and Paul are both clear that the founding Editor of sister
on what is happening on the persecution is part of the Christian life title Childrenswork, Martin
is a popular speaker and
ground vary widely, with some (John 15:18; 2 Timothy 3:12), we should the author of various books
journalists reporting atrocities be sure to pray for our brothers and including Youth Work From
Scratch. He lives in Reigate,
such as the ritual beheading of sisters in Christ who face persecution. Surrey with his wife
men, women and children, and Many of the New Testament letters Jo and their four
children.
others suggesting that Female particularly Ephesians were written

6 FEATURE
Foster
son
and
The spiritual journey of a second generation legend

Jo Swinney sits down for a chat with Nathan Foster
AT FIRST I THINK I ACCEPTED

THAT GOD WAS USING MY DAD
TO HELP PEOPLE. LATER I FELT
MILDLY AMBIVALENT ABOUT
THE FACT THAT GOD SEEMED
TO NEED MY DAD. SOMEWHERE
ALONG THE WAY, MY FEELINGS
SHIFTED TO EMBARRASSMENT
AND ANGER THAT DAD HAD
HOLIER WORK TO DO.

FEATURE 7

8 FEATURE
R
ichard Foster wrote his seminal book, as the case may be. Nathan thinks that
Celebration of Discipline, in 1978 at for those of us from Christian homes, the
the tender age of 36. On the cover of default switch is either to follow suit or not
my own battered and coee stained to, with little middle ground. His instinct
edition, Eugene Peterson says Foster has was not to, which made it hard for him to
found the spiritual disciplines that the become a Christian. He kept his conversion
modern world stored away and forgot. His quiet for a long time, not wanting to admit
influence is hard to quantify, but I for one he had been wrong or that they had been
can testify to the profound impact he has right. Eventually he put a fish sticker on
had on the shape of my own spiritual life. the back of his truck, hoping his parents
would pick up the message hed converted
In the process of rediscovering all this great
spiritual treasure however, Foster was in without him having to tell them. His mum
danger of forgetting his children. The last just assumed the fish had been on the truck
line of the acknowledgements is poignant: when he bought it.
My children, Joel and Nathan, were It took years for Nathan to form any kind of
incredibly patient in allowing their daddy connection with his famous father and for
to cut short games and stories more than faith to become a part of their conversation.
once. These well-crafted words hint at a far I asked him if he thought his mum and
from ideal family life. dad did a secret victory dance when they
Nathan, the younger son, has written about discovered he had found God for himself.
the process of coming to know his father He was quiet for a moment, thinking hard,
as an adult in his book Wisdom Chaser. and then said, I dont know. When my mum
They spent a decade climbing Colorados found out I was getting baptised not from
14,000-foot peaks; arduous climbs that me she came. I think she was excited
gave them opportunity to mend what had about that. I dont know what my dad
gone wrong between them. With searing thought. He didnt seem excited.
honesty, Nathan writes, At first I think I
It wasnt until Nathan was in his twenties
accepted that God was using my Dad to
that they began a dialogue that continues
help people. Later I felt mildly ambivalent
to this day, enlivened by the keen sense
about the fact that God seemed to need my
of humour Foster Senior had been hiding
Dad. Somewhere along the way, my feelings
from his son. The two do a lot of laughing
shifted to embarrassment and anger that
together now. And Nathan is clearly proud
Dad had holier work to do. By thirteen I
of his fathers influence, whatever the cost it
was filled with rage, and I shut down.
came at: I can only speak for America but I
By the time I met Nathan, now a father of think much of his work has entered into the
a teenager himself, the anger had abated. lexicon. So the term spiritual formation is
He actually seems peaceful and relaxed very much a part of our culture now, where
reclining comfortably in his chair, and it wasnt before he began his ministry.
choosing words with great care, like a fire-
Nathans own spiritual formation has been
side sage. Any impression of middle-age
very specifically shaped by Celebration
solidity would be misleading though he
of Discipline; he has spent the past four
looks far younger than his 40 years, sports
years working his way through the 12
funky glasses and facial hair, and has an
practices it talks about and writing about
air of casual cool that few Brits could carry
his experiences (The Making of an Ordinary
o. He teaches social work at Spring Arbor
Saint is out this autumn). I wondered
University in Michigan, climbs mountains,
if he had found the book project good
plays in a band and spends time with his
motivation to get a grip on his spiritual
wife and kids. Hes visiting England to speak
life. It is actually a real gift you have a
at some events for Lyfe, a Bible Society
purpose for doing some of these things. One
resource for spiritual formation.
of the things I found in writing the book
Anyone raised by Christian parents, even was that the categories flowed one into the
those who are not famous or influential in other: submission, worship, praying. My
any way, has to navigate choppy waters, conclusion was that the categories are a
finding their own anchor of faith. Or not, good entry point into a deeper life with God.

FEATURE 9
What, I asked nosily, was he currently As a vicars wife, I tell him, I have noticed
practicing? Had he given everything up that the schedule of a church leader isnt
when he submitted the manuscript? Happily, always conducive to nurturing an inner life.
not. I am always doing something dierent. It is busy and externally oriented. He agrees.
One I have been working on recently is Its sad isnt it? And counter-intuitive. At
the discipline of slowing walking slowly, least in America, pastoring is a burnout
talking slowly. Thats been a fun one for me. profession. More are leaving than coming.
I suggest it might not be so much fun for Research would say some are leaving their
those trying to get past him as he meanders faith altogether. We sit there, thinking
along. He smirks. about the people behind the stats, some of
whom we know. WHEN OUR GOAL
Another one Ive been working on this
week is praying for strangers. In the tube, The pastors Ive known who have been IS SOMETHING
in London, it is rather boring sitting there. really successful, Nathan continues, quickly OTHER THAN
And Ive been praying for people around qualifying his choice of the word successful, LIFE WITH GOD,
me. There are a lot of sad people here. And by which I mean those who have done it RESPONDING TO
how do I, as a spiritual discipline, be present over a lifetime, enjoying it and not burning A CALL, BEING
to my 13-year-old daughter who is with me out, have set very clear boundaries about
on this trip as we do all the touristy things? time and energies and what they give and
PRESENT TO
Thats a few I am playing with. And play is a dont give. In Eugene Petersons book The GOD AND OTHER
good word. Certainly we suer and there are Pastor theres a real turning point when he PEOPLE, THATS
things we have to push ourselves to do, but in starts setting clear boundaries. He seemed DESTRUCTIVE.
the end the disciplines are about joy. to have a lovely life as a pastor. To me thats
success. He never had a large church. If his
Im reminded of the scene in The Lion, the church didnt explode in terms of size, so
Witch and the Wardrobe where Lucy and what if mine doesnt? We need to get away
Susan arrive at the stone table expecting to from defining ourselves by numbers. At
find Aslans mutilated body, and instead he some level we have to remove ourselves
pounces on them, full of life and ready for a from it. When our goal is something other
romp. We agree that although the Christian than life with God, responding to a call,
life is often boring and painful and dry, there being present to God and other people, thats
are also times of hilarity. And ultimately, life destructive.
in relationship with God is about joy.
It occurs to me how very true his words
Nathan makes the observation that some are, and yet how countercultural. Even in
of the loneliest people in society are church the church we can be driven by empirical
pastors, who he worries are not being measures, by head counts and programmes
discipled themselves. Preach magazine and graphs showing an upward trajectory.
exists to support those who live their faith And as leaders we are driven to live at a
publically called to stand up front and pace we cant sustain. How many of us look
admonish, teach and preach. What would at what we need to do in any given day, and
he say would help public Christians stay prioritise what will keep us spiritually alive?
full of God, and ensure they spoke out of
that fullness? He answers without hesitation Well, says Nathan, we teach what we know.
this time, leaning forward with emphasis: If what we know is hurry and no boundaries
Having spaces where you are free from and exhaustion, thats what we teach. The
expectations to be a certain way, where you way I love people is by seeking to be present
can be honest about who you are, your life with them. The only thing we have any
and your spiritual life is very important. control over is this moment. What we choose
You need to develop friendships with other to do with our moments is what we show
leaders. Theres a lot of pressure on our love to. What higher pinnacle of human
leaders. When do they get to be served, to experience is there than being present to
be honest? Having those relationships is another person, being present to God?
absolutely critical.
To listen to the full interview, visit www.preachweb.org

Nathans website is www.nathanfosterprojects.com
To access the free Lyfe resources, visit www.biblesociety.org.uk

10 FEATURE

FEATURE 11
Creativity and
Innovation in
Preaching
Do liberals and conservatives have
polarised views on the place of creativity
in preaching? We asked two preachers
from dierent ends of the theological
spectrum to give us their thoughts

12 FEATURE
as regards the content of the sermon, what they say is, pass on what you
Tim Ward: creativity and innovation ought not
to be things that the preacher seeks
have heard from us. Stick with that.
Here are a few examples:
The Proclamation except in one particular area;
And the things you have heard
Trust as regards the form of the sermon, me say in the presence of many
creativity and innovation are fine witnesses entrust to reliable people
except, again, in one particular area. who will also be qualified to teach
others (2 Timothy 2:2)
Lets think about each of these in turn.
Do your best to present yourself to
God as one approved, a worker who
THE CONTENT OF THE SERMON does not need to be ashamed and
A word closely linked to creativity who correctly handles the word of
and innovation is imagination. Now truth (2 Timothy 2:15)
imagination is a God-given human
But as for you, continue in what you
faculty, and used in the right way is a
have learned and become convinced
wonderful thing. I happen to be coming
of (2 Timothy 3:14)
to the end of reading The Lord of the
Rings for the first time, and the power And I will make every eort to see
and subtlety of Tolkeins imagination is that after my departure you will
a delight. always be able to remember these
However, Scriptures few explicit things (2 Peter 1:15).
THERE IS A FUNDAMENTAL references to imagination are mostly There is a fundamental theological

negative. That is because the Bible-
THEOLOGICAL REASON FOR reason for the lack of innovation in the
writers have in mind the human core content of preaching: Gods act
THE LACK OF INNOVATION tendency to imagine what we would
IN THE CORE CONTENT OF of salvation and revelation in Christ
like God to have said, rather than is now complete. The next significant
PREACHING: GODS ACT OF what he has actually said. Through event in salvation history will be the
SALVATION AND REVELATION Ezekiel, the Lord pronounces woe
return of Christ. Until then, no new
IN CHRIST IS NOW COMPLETE to those who prophesy out of their
event will occur to excuse us from
own imaginations (Ezekiel 13:2, 17).
obeying these apostolic instructions.
God describes Israels unfaithfulness
to him as their pursuing their own But there is a qualification, and it is
S
omeone recently asked me a imaginations (Isaiah 65:2). As with in the area of applying these truths
question about preaching. It every human faculty, the fallenness of into peoples lives. Cultures change;
must be dicult to come up with the imagination can also be redeemed new things develop. Discerning how
a new sermon every Sunday, he and sanctified, so that it contemplates a particular biblical truth speaks
said. How do you do it? At the time the wonders of what the Lord has done, into each new generation, so that
we were running together, so my although that will always exceed our preachers preach into the present
answer was probably gasped out fairly powers of imagination since he is able world and not one that faded away
incoherently. What I tried to say to him to do to immeasurably more than all forty years ago, takes a good measure
was something like this: At the very we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). of wisely imaginative thinking.
core of their task, preachers ought not
be creators and innovators. In fact, Thus there is no real place for the
that would be a bad thing to try to be. exercise of human imagination in THE FORM OF THE SERMON
God has given us a truthful and reliable establishing the core message that the
preacher is to preach. That message By contrast with the sermons content,
word in Scripture to preach, and the
is to be found in Scripture, faithfully there is a good measure of scope for
preachers job is to open up that word
and correctly handled. Crucial in this creativity and innovation when it
with as much faithfulness, clarity,
are the handover passages in the New comes to the form of the sermon
engagement and power as possible.
Testament, where we see the generation that is, precisely how I communicate
Sitting here at my desk, feeling a little of apostles handing the baton over to what God has given me in Scripture to
more relaxed than I did at that moment the first generation of their successors. proclaim. What kind of introduction
on our run, I can spell that answer out Again and again what they say is not, I should I have? How much time should
a little more, in two ways, each with an wonder what innovative message you I spend getting peoples noses into
important qualification: will come up with to preach? Instead the text itself, and how much time on

FEATURE 13
application? How much illustration If preaching can validly be described

do I need, and what kind? What kind
of pulpit manner should I adopt?
Edward Dowland as an art, or indeed an art form,
then there is great scope for
These seem to be areas of freedom, Owen: Liberal communication in a variety of ways.
Catholic Church
because Scripture does not answer Art is not a static thing restricted to
these questions directly. A creativity one form but rather something which
in communication that aims to
serve the God-given core content is
of Wales Priest is varied and can take place using
various media. I would argue that it is
a thoroughly useful quality in the the same for preaching. If preaching
preacher. is purely lecture-based and basically
an opportunity to text prove for half
However, as always with Christian an hour, then it is likely not to engage
freedom, it is a freedom to be
the attention of the listeners. So the
exercised in service of others. My
challenge is to develop tools in order
creativity is to be directed to the end
to gain and maintain attention.
of communicating this message as
powerfully and engagingly as I can It is vital at the beginning of
to this group of people, for their preaching a sermon to strike a
up-building in the Lord. connection; this is more easily done
where there is creativity involved. It
Again, though, this general point
is at this point that an illustration
comes, I think, with a qualification.
is most appropriate. However it is
I am persuaded by the venerable
also important for an illustration to
argument that the sermon as a
be contextual: examples of this are
proclamatory monologue to be SOMETIMES POINTS CAN news items that aect the local area,
received in faith is a trans-cultural ONLY BE MADE BY UNUSUAL illustrating how faith, politics and the
form that we ought not to abandon. ILLUSTRATIONS. HOWEVER, media interact. At this point it is good
This does not mean that having WHEN WE TRY TO BE CREATIVE to be visual and to have a distinctive
a question time after the sermon
OR INNOVATIVE IT IS VERY example. The use of YouTube clips
is wrong, or that breaking it into
IMPORTANT THAT THE is a good example of how it is
two sections is wrong. However,
ILLUSTRATION DOES NOT TAKE appropriate to be innovative and to
the nature of the gospel is that it is
AWAY FROM THE CENTRAL give a distinctive feel to preaching.
not the sharing of a thought, but
This is also an eective way in which
is a declaration of a work achieved TRUTH OF THE MESSAGE
to ground the preaching in the life-
by God entirely on our behalf and
experience of those who are listening.
entirely for us, and we are to hear and
An example or illustration is useful
O
receive in faith (Romans 10:17). The ne of the definitions of to show that the timeless truth of
sermon as a mode of communication preaching is the art of scripture is also contextual, thereby
is a divinely appointed means of delivering a sermon. rooting it firmly in the life experience
grace. In its very form it expresses Preaching is fundamentally of the listener. Surely this is the
the truth that salvation is received about communication. The art of whole point of preaching: to convey
by faith as righteousness is revealed communication is engaging those a message and to see that message
to us. who are listening and hopefully absorbed with its consequences lived
evoking some kind of response out?
within them. In order to capture
the attention of the listener in a Within the Scriptures there are
multimedia age the art of delivering many examples of both creativity
and communication inevitably and innovation. Jesus often used
needs to change. Essentially, for stories and parables to illustrate a
Tim Ward communication to take place, the particular point or moral. The telling
listener needs to be aware of the of stories is another example of how
Tim Ward is the Associate
Director of the Proclamation message that is intended to be we are able to be both creative and
Trusts Cornhill Training communicated. To be creative is to innovative. An example from my own
Course. He was previously
an Anglican vicar, and is use originality of thought, while to be preaching experience occurred one
the author of Words of Life:
Scripture as the living and
innovative is to introduce something December when I was doing some
active word of God (IVP 2009). new and to make changes for the Christmas shopping. In a local shop I
first time. came across a crib for sale, labelled:

14 FEATURE
Bargain Buy! Now

40, was 80! Only
Jesus missing! Examples
such as this provide a
very rich opportunity
for illustrations. Faith
can only be lived out in
the context in which
we find ourselves and
interpreted in the society in which we
live. It cannot exist as if it is just in a
vacuum, a thing in itself. Faith speaks
to current aairs and current aairs
speak to faith. These things should
challenge us in our preaching. And
sometimes points can only be made by
unusual illustrations. However, when
we try to be creative or innovative it
is very important that the illustration
does not take away from the central
truth of the message.
Both creativity and illustration can,

of course, be used to challenge the
listener. They can provide an excellent
opportunity to comfort the disturbed
and disturb the comfortable, precisely
because they take the listener out of the
traditional passive comfort zone. The
whole idea of preaching is to engage
and to provoke a response, a challenge
in the heart of the listener. Central to
challenge is the need to be stimulated.
Therefore, if creativity stimulates and
challenges it is a good thing; if it begins
to detract from the overall message of
the sermon or begins to dominate then
it is certainly not a good thing.
In conclusion I would have to state

that the correct place for creativity
and innovation in preaching is not
only to capture the attention of the
can and should change over time, the
listener but also to further expound
nature of the message should not. The
the gospel message, so that people If you would like to join
truth of the gospel and the nature of
can grow in faith and in knowledge the discussion, you can
the love of God are unchanging; the
and love of God. Of course there are challenge of preaching is one that must write to Preach Magazine,
some areas where there can be little be embraced afresh in every age. tweet us using the hashtag
scope for innovation: those areas
#WardDowlandOwen, or post
concern the purpose of preaching and
in our Facebook group.
the valid content of what is preached. Edward Dowland-Owen
Wed love to hear your
The whole point of preaching is to Edward Dowland-Owen is Team
Vicar in the Rectorial Benefice of thoughts.
communicate a message, that message Cowbridge, a rural benefice in the
being fundamentally concerned with Diocese of Llanda. He is also
Diocesan Spirituality Ocer.
the things of God, conversion of life Previously he has served in
and the proclamation of the gospel urban, post industrial and
suburban parishes.
message. While the medium of delivery

COLUMN 15
COLUMNIST DAVID HULL
The Joy of Preaching

Music from Handels Messiah immediately
resounds in my mind whenever I hear the
text, Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion;
shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy
King cometh unto thee (Zechariah 9:9 KJV).
D
uring a very traumatic time greatest privileges in the Christian
for the nation of Israel, when Church. Though there is a place in
many felt they had been preaching for all emotions of life, TO BE A PREACHER IS
abandoned by God, the prophet surely joy should be the outstanding ONE OF THE GREATEST
Zechariah spoke with great hope characteristic. If Old Testament PRIVILEGES IN THE CHRISTIAN
of a coming King who would reign prophets could look forward with hope CHURCH. THOUGH THERE
in righteousness and gentleness, and call upon their hearers to rejoice, IS A PLACE IN PREACHING
and therefore he called the people, how much more should Christian
FOR ALL EMOTIONS OF
however dark and dicult the preachers today be able to speak with
days were, to rejoice. When Handel joy of the call to rejoice? After all,
LIFE, SURELY JOY SHOULD
wrote his Messiah, he was clearly the apostle Paul called his readers to BE THE OUTSTANDING
determined that the theme of Rejoice in the Lord always. He was so CHARACTERISTIC
rejoicing should shine through. keen for them to grasp his message
that he repeated it, I will say it again:
I have read a number of books about Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4).
preaching, but I havent come across
many authors who have written When CS Lewis wrote his seeking as the Lord of Joy himself.
about the joy of preaching. I do autobiographical account of coming He is the one who rejoices over us
wonder, though, whether many to faith, he entitled it Surprised by Joy, with singing (Zephaniah 3:17) and,
of us who preach need to recover for it was the sense of joy that most if we draw close to him, we will find
a sense of this joy. All too often, it overwhelmed him. I wonder, if someone that his joy is contagious. A new
seems, the pressure of preparing was to visit a church for the first time, song will ring in our ears and sing
another sermon or even two whether they too would be surprised through our preaching.
before Sunday, the need for careful by joy, or whether they would be more
research with commentaries and surprised by the lack of it. Sermon
detailed biblical exegesis, making writing techniques are, of course,
sure we have the right structure, important, but lets make sure that
with three points of application neither technique, nor anything else,
and a corresponding number of ever stems the flow of joy through our
contemporary illustrations, and preaching!
a fitting balance of humour and
If we have any sense that we might David A. Hull
seriousness, can all consume our
attention to such an extent that we have lost it, I hope that we will be able David A Hull is a Methodist minister, currently
serving in the Yeovil & Blackmore Vale Circuit. He
lose sight of the joy of our calling. to recover the joy of preaching. In is Chair of Methodist Evangelicals Together and of
Surprised by Joy, CS Lewis wrote, It is Share Jesus International and is working towards a
PhD with Cli College.
Yet, to be a preacher is one of the not so much the joy of the Lord we are

16 INTERVIEW

INTERVIEW 17
In Conversation with
Philip
Yancey
Interview by Jo Swinney

18 INTERVIEW
JS Do you think the sermon is still

a valid way to communicate the
gospel? Why or why not?
PHILIP YANCEYS The sermon is certainly valid, but

father died of polio when Philip was one it has limited range. For committed
year old. His church had convinced him to believers, the sermon remains a
primary way of communicating the
come o life support in faith that he would be
good news, by conveying theology
healed. This is only one of the reasons Yancey speaks
and biblical truth and making
about being in recovery from a form of Christianity practical applications to life. Yet
that almost killed his belief in a good God. His Southern sermons are normally delivered in
American childhood was spent as part of a toxic church: churches or places of worship, which
racist, judgemental and joyless. means that the audience self-selects
to hear them.
Since a cautious rediscovery of beauty and goodness led
him to get to know God for the first time, his life has been Even for the uncommitted who
about communicating grace to anyone who will listen. And happen to visit a church, the sermon
apparently there are quite a few of us, if his book sales are presents certain barriers, namely
anything to go by. He lives with his wife Janet, a social worker the strange and perhaps threatening
religious environment. When do I
and hospice chaplain, in Colorado, and writes for a living.
stand up or kneel? How do these
In an age of nauseating self-promotion, Yancey is people know what page to turn to?
refreshingly publicity shy. I was delighted to have the What is this Eucharist thing all about?
rare opportunity to put some questions to him on JS Those are significant hurdles.
behalf of Preach magazine. Are there ways to get over them?
I can think of two ways. The

first is simple friendship which can
lessen that intimidation factor and
present church as a welcoming
experience. Think of visiting a
museum or historical site with a
friend who shows you around when
we invite people to church, we can
serve that same function. The second
would be transparency from the
pulpit, revealing the preacher as a
fellow human with struggles and
temptations, rather than an authority
figure who speaks from on high.
JS You mentioned people who just

happen to visit a church, but who are
essentially unconvinced. This may
not happen often but it does happen.
Can a preacher disarm cynics, or
is it only the pilgrims, artists and
activists who can smuggle truth to
Philip in Figures the unconverted?
Author of over 20 books Most preachers I know dont

15 million of them in print around the world have much experience in disarming
Translated into 35 languages cynics from the pulpit, at least. In a
hospital room, in prison, in personal
13 gold medallion awards from Christian publishers and booksellers
counselling: in those contexts they

INTERVIEW 19
can indeed engage the cynic eectively. JS If God could only use perfect A shallow, materialistic culture
Again, the church provides a kind people wed be scuppered, wouldnt proclaims the opposite: weight loss
of captive audience, and preachers we? Speaking of perfect people, Jesus without sacrifice, sex without love,
understandably focus on feeding the the only one ever clearly made prosperity without work, health
sheep in the fold, rather than attracting his message compelling to a jaded without discipline. Sadly, some
new ones. society, but he was also sometimes branches of the church reflect that
deliberately obscure, made people shallow philosophy rather than the
A clergy friend of mine tells me of the
work to dig out his meaning, and deeper truth that Jesus taught. A
enormous dierence in the way people
didnt hide the fact that entering the poor marketer, Jesus never put a
treat him when he wears a collar. They
kingdom of heaven was a costly and gloss on his message; neither did he
dont tend to initiate conversation, they
dicult business. How can we balance downplay the promised rewards. For
feel awkward around him, and some
the desire to share the gospel in a the joy that was set before him he
even try to avoid him in light of all the
clergy scandals theyve heard about. way that attracts outsiders in to take endured the cross. Those of us who
a closer look with a commitment to follow Jesus dare not discount the
Of course, a new breed of seeker stay true to communicating the whole personal discipline involved in holy
churches has a dierent approach, picture (some of which is frankly not living which includes caring for the
with varying degrees of success. In my attractive, a stumbling block even)? vulnerable, giving generously, keeping
country, such churches usually meet in pure in a sex-saturated culture, and
buildings that dont look like churches, sacrificial service but we should do
emphasise entertainment through so in a way that demonstrates Jesus
music and drama, and direct some THINK OF VISITING A MUSEUM paradoxical principle.
services with an uncommitted audience OR HISTORICAL SITE WITH
in mind. By doing so, however, they rely A FRIEND WHO SHOWS YOU In my writing I love to highlight
on the same style as pilgrims, activists, Christians who serve in out of the way
AROUND WHEN WE INVITE
and artists. They tend to present truth places, without much acclaim, because
PEOPLE TO CHURCH, WE CAN
indirectly, rather than directly, which I have found them to be the most
often is the most powerful way. After
SERVE THAT SAME FUNCTION.
deeply fulfilled people I know.
all, the vast majority of the Bible
expresses itself in the form of story and
poetry, not propositions.
Ooh, thats a wonderful question!
JS You are very concerned with faith You are hitting at the central paradox
making a visible dierence. Can a of the gospel. The statement Jesus
preachers words have power if their repeated more often than any other
life doesnt mirror what they teach? in the Gospels (six times) was that we
My first instinct is to answer No, find life by losing it. I believe firmly that
because I think of Christian leaders Jesus oered the life most abundant,
who are involved in scandalous most full. Yet it is not abundant in the
situations and the negative impact that sense that our self-indulgent culture
follows in their wake. However, I have promotes.
often seen God overrule a preachers
The principle is counterintuitive.
failures by using the words to reach
Parents learn that the most important
people despite the speakers personal
relationships on earth come out
flaws. Ive experienced that myself.
of sacrificial love: nursing a child
Ive left a hotel room torn up over a
very tense family situation, delivered through illness, patiently helping with
what I felt was a flat and perfunctory schoolwork, sharing and bearing the JS Can you tell me about a time you
sermon, only to find it had a deep eect burdens of your children. Surveys experienced grace through a sermon?
on someone in the congregation or show that most personal and spiritual What was it about and why has it
audience. I write books about grace, growth occurs in times of suering stayed with you?
and yet I dont always show grace to and hardship. The most rewarding
people who irritate me or treat me experiences in life think of Olympic I attended a Christian college that
wrongly. And the Bible contains many athletes, mountain climbers, research held a chapel service every day. In
examples of spokespersons used by God scientists come with cost, not cheaply. truth, I can only remember a handful of
despite their personal failings. The more investment, the more reward. them. Only one stands out.

20 INTERVIEW
JS That is quite a statement in You may have heard this phrase:

itself. I wonder how many of us to aict the comfortable and comfort
would say the same thing. Tell us the aicted. Im impressed by the IN MY WRITING I LOVE TO
about that one sermon that made a two-edged sword Jesus used in his own HIGHLIGHT CHRISTIANS WHO
lasting impact. teaching. He pricked the consciences SERVE IN OUT OF THE WAY
A board member of the school,
of the proud, the self-righteous, the PLACES, WITHOUT MUCH
wealthy. At the very same time, he ACCLAIM, BECAUSE I HAVE FOUND
very wealthy, owned a large orange
brought comfort to those who were THEM TO BE THE MOST DEEPLY
juice company that was later sold
vulnerable and hurting. If a preacher FULFILLED PEOPLE I KNOW.
to Coca-Cola. Each week one of his
can do that... well, he or she is
trucks pulled up and we students
following the Jesus style.
would unload crates of orange juice,
which he provided free to the school.
We practically worshipped this man,
our source of fresh orange juice, so
when he spoke in chapel that day we
paid rapt attention.
An Italian immigrant, he spoke

with a thick accent, and clearly had
little experience in public speaking.
To our shock, he spent that service
telling us about his greatest failure
as a businessman. After a severe
winter in Florida, he cheated by
adding sugar to his pure orange
juice, against government rules.
Ive never forgotten that lesson in
humility and transparency. We were
prepared to idolise him. Instead, we
went away convicted by our own
natural instincts to look good, and
conscious of the times we had failed
to live as we should.
Ill mention one other chapel service

that just came to mind. Perhaps the
most beloved teacher in the school
stood up and said, I have prayed
and worked all week, but Im afraid
I have no word from the Lord for
you today. He then dismissed us!
Again, a lesson in humility and
transparency.
JS The cynic in me would say it Philip Yanceys new book, Vanishing Grace,
might have also been a lesson in is out this autumn. In it he explores how the
how to get away with showing church has failed in its mission to dispense
up to preach when you havent grace, what communicates best to a culture
prepared What do you think running from faith, whether the gospel is
should be the main goal of a in fact good news, and how we as Christians
preacher in a church setting (aside can be heard amongst all the other voices
from actually preaching, which lobbying for support.
perhaps isnt a given after all)?

SERIAL 21
Stand
and
deliver
SKILLS FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
BODY LANGUAGE
by Jo Swinney

22 SERIAL
In your mind there is a brilliant message, ready and waiting to transform the
world. It is profound, insightful and cleverly structured. You might even go as
far as to say you felt a touch of divine inspiration as you worked on it.
S
unday arrives. You walk to the As preachers, it is vital that we are CROSSED ARMS says you are
front, grip the podium like a aware of what our bodies are saying defensive, closed o, or self-
lifebuoy and try to remember not to our listeners, and do our utmost protective. Or maybe you are just
to do that thing where you jab to make sure we arent contradicting cold and tired
your finger like the war recruitment our own words. To aid us, heres a
poster. It seems to be going well. But Either way, there are probably
concise dictionary of body language
at the door at the end of the service, better things to do with your arms
commonly used in the pulpit:
you wonder why people are trying to in the preaching context.
sidle past you without shaking your CLASPING HANDS BEHIND THE FINGER POINTING dictatorial
hand. One lady seems to flinch when BACK says you are bored, anxious and aggressive
you catch her eye. There is a muscle or even angry
complaining in your right shoulder. Preaching often involves a degree
It also might be where you naturally of exhortation, and it may be
The truth is, while your words keep your hands to stop them fiddling, tempting to embellish your delivery
conveyed grace and compassion, your but since most of the connotations of with the occasional jab of the index
body was shouting judgement. You this stance are negative, perhaps a finger. No one likes being pointed
looked angry, and your congregation new anti-fiddling strategy would be at; children dont like it and adults
now feels jumpy around you. preferable. particularly dont like it. If this is a
habit you have, consider painting
Research indicates that body CLENCHED FIST anger, solidarity or the nail of the oending digit a
language accounts for 5070% of resolve garish green as a reminder.
communication. Robert Phipps, one
of the UKs best known body language I have seen the fist-pound on the FINGER TIPS AND THUMBS
experts, says Whether we like it or lectern used to great eect (it woke me TOUCHING (STEEPLING) Clever
not, we all respond to non-verbal and several others from a light doze). people do this. It indicates
messages. Sometimes we think about Fists are not always negative, but best connective or complex thinking
them consciously, sometimes we dont. used in moderation and accompanied
by a rousing call to some worthy You can now fake being clever.
And just because we arent consciously
aware of them doesnt mean that they response: The church tower is falling
dont have an eect on us! down. We must dig deep! BAM.

SERIAL 23
THE TRUTH IS, WHILE YOUR

WORDS CONVEYED GRACE AND
COMPASSION, YOUR BODY WAS
SHOUTING JUDGEMENT. YOU
LOOKED ANGRY, AND YOUR
CONGREGATION NOW FEELS
JUMPY AROUND YOU.
HANDS IN POCKETS dejection HUNCHED SHOULDERS misery, RUBBING NOSE lying or doubt
insecurity
There are other pitfalls to having You really dont want to rub your
your hands in your pockets. I once Im sure weve all had times of feeling nose while you preach. Aside from
saw someone preach (I didnt hear miserable and having to preach the fact you might look like you are
what they said, I was too distracted anyway. I am not against a degree of telling porkies, you want to steer clear
who gesticulated wildly, hands in vulnerability from the front, but if you of any impression you are having an
pockets, giving the impression that dont acknowledge it verbally it is very inopportune pick.
distracting. Sometimes when we dont
wild ferrets were trying to escape RUBBING HANDS anticipation, glee
feel confident and happy, we just need
from his clothing.
to push through, and make our bodies This is fine, so long as you dont do
HAND ON HEART wanting to be submit to us. Shoulders back, head it at the wrong moment say while
believed, whether truthful or not held high, sti upper lip preaching on Lamentations or the
(earnest/impassioned/impelling) LIP BITING tension or stress, first half of Jeremiah.
You can put your hand on our heart. possibly due to high concentration SHIFTING WEIGHT FROM FOOT TO
but does imply anxiety FOOT shows mental and/or physical
Everyone will quite understand that
you want to be believed. Try putting on some nasty tasting lip discomfort
gloss right before you speak. While this might be communicating
HANDS ON HIPS you are
ready and in control. Can be a OPEN PALM sincerity, openness, exactly what you are feeling, it is
sign of aggression (collected/ innocence uncomfortable for your listeners.
preparedness/empowered) WIPING SWEATY HANDS ON CLOTHING
Lots of the open palm, people.
betrays nervousness, which in turn
General consensus seems to be that
PLAYING WITH HAIR lack of makes your listeners nervous
this isnt an awful way to stand, but
confidence, anxiety
it says fishwife to me. Perhaps it Even truly seasoned preachers still
depends on how wide your hips are. If you have long hair, it is a good idea experience some nerves. The key is to
I dont think I could get away with it. to have it in a style that keeps it out of disguise them as best you can so you dont
your way while you are up front. undermine the power of your words.

24 FEATURE
TO WHAT DEGREE DOES CONTEXT SHAPE THE MESSAGE?

SARAH LOTHIAN INVESTIGATES

FEATURE 25
When Pastor Michael Ekwulugos church moved to a

town centre location, his congregation faced a bigger
change than perhaps theyd been prepared for.
he Transformation Life Centre communicating in such a way that engagement with the Bible, the world
in Birmingham had previously your words actually convey biblical and the human heart that needs a
been a traditional black truth to your audience? Or does certain maturity, he said.
majority church, but now there your preaching float right past your
were dierent faces in the hearers because its not delivered on a If we compromise on that, were selling
crowd. frequency that they listen to? everyone short, both children and
adults. Sermons should be serious,
We were blessed to be able to buy a Tailoring your message to your imaginative and urgent. We should
new building, says Pastor Ekwulugo, audience is crucial, according to writer expect to hear God speaking through
but its right on the High Street so that and Baptist minister Mark Woods. He the preacher.
was massive for us because all sorts of told Preach magazine: Therell always
people would walk through the door. be compromises, because not everyone Stetzer believes that eective preaching
We realised that we couldnt just go on in the congregation is going to be that really speaks to your audience
the way we were, so weve made loads in the same spiritual place or have on a level theyll understand, does not
of changes. Weve had to cater for the the same educational background, involve leaping through hoops the
new people, weve had to evolve. though churches do tend to settle at a Bible is already relevant.
particular level.
In Pastor Ekwulugos case, the change Our job is to present it in ways that
A sermon that works in one church help the hearer see that it is relevant
of audience didnt signal a change of
will completely bomb in another. But in this and in every culture. he
content. The whole church, however,
I believe passionately in preaching, writes. We do so by starting at their
had to deal with a cultural shift in the
which at its best is one heart speaking
way its Bible message was framed and understanding and taking them to
truth to another
presented (see page 28). Scripture for the whole answer.
Reverend Woods has argued that
In a recent essay on contextual Preach magazine spoke to Pastor
regular all-age services dont work no
preaching, the US author and Ekwulugo and three other speakers
matter how well theyre done.
minister Ed Stetzer wrote: At the with very dierent audiences, and
heart of eective preaching is a solid I think that real preaching requires asked how they shape their sermons to
missiological perspective. Are you an intensity of speaking and a level of suit their congregations.

26 FEATURE
Lynn MCCann Mike Collyer

is part of the leadership team We always start with a Bible worked for the Church Armys
of The Good News group in passage and we tend to use the Research Unit exploring
easy English version which you can
Leyland, Lancashire a church evangelism, spiritual needs
get on Bible Gateway as a starting
congregation for adults with and fresh expressions for
point. We might shorten sentences
learning disabilities. because that pause when you get church among older people.
to a full stop can really help people He facilitates the senior action
Our challenge is really just to teach
the Bible and preach the gospel in a cope with each sentence. team at Sheeld Cathedral and
very accessible way. preaches at his local church.
We look at particular words
There are a lot of communication religious or complicated words I think any preacher should start where
barriers because people in the group and we will still use them, but then people are. Given that the majority of
have a wide range of needs. Some well explain what they mean. congregations are older, I think age
should be considered. Its vital that
have very little verbal language When weve got that as our basis preachers do consider cultural context
and find it hard to process a lot of well then decide on what pictures to reach them most eectively.
language and others have more we need to support this, what signs
moderate learning diculties but they in Makaton might we use and then Often church preachers or ministers
find the content of complex religious arent aware of this. I divide the older
try and make it interactive using
language too much to take on board. people I work with into two groups
drama and puppets sensory
the younger group who are 55 to 75
We have tools that help us. First things to try as well.
and they are generally part of the
of all we have to really gather all postmodern culture in which we live.
We dont shy away from certain
our knowledge of communication.
subjects. Some of the more
Some of the team have worked Then theres the older group they
figurative things in the Bible have
with deaf people. Ive worked with are 75+ and really in their mind is an
been dicult so weve not tackled attitude of a modern culture. There is a
autistic children. We also speak to the
Revelation yet: maybe one day. But disparity between the modern and the
members themselves and their carers
we do find that theres so much we postmodern culture when it comes to
about what helps them understand
can draw from our people learn preaching.
things. So over the years weve
really well through story and the
developed quite an eclectic way of For instance lets take the psychological
Bible is rich with it.
communicating. We quite often use a context: in a postmodern culture,
lot of repetition and visual pictures. For more information and to people tend to think for themselves
We use symbols and signs. Weve all contact Lynn McCann, visit her blog they have a mind of their own, but in
learnt to use Makaton sign language. includedbygrace.wordpress.com. my older age group people are used
IVE WORKED WITH AUTISTIC I THINK ANY PREACHER SHOULD

CHILDREN. WE ALSO SPEAK TO START WHERE PEOPLE ARE.
THE MEMBERS THEMSELVES GIVEN THAT THE MAJORITY
AND THEIR CARERS OF CONGREGATIONS ARE
ABOUT WHAT HELPS THEM OLDER I THINK AGE SHOULD BE
UNDERSTAND THINGS. SO OVER CONSIDERED. ITS VITAL THAT
THE YEARS WEVE DEVELOPED PREACHERS DO CONSIDER
QUITE AN ECLECTIC WAY OF CULTURAL CONTEXT TO REACH
COMMUNICATING. THEM MOST EFFECTIVELY.

FEATURE 27
Ali Martin
to being told what to think. In my is on the leadership team of Illustrations are important. But
younger age group in the postmodern Soul Survivor, a Christian then also there are illustrations
culture there is the question what that are more like analogies.
festival that aims to reach 13
am I feeling? and in the older culture Some of the people who are best
its what am I doing? to 18-year-olds. at speaking to young people use
One of the things about young people almost constant analogy, the
In my younger age group, choice
is that they really desire authenticity. constant its like moments.
is important, but for the older age
group choice can be confusing. So They want to know youre not just
I was speaking once about the
in the context of preaching for the talking the talk; that this is real for
bleeding woman and talking about
younger age groups I would think you, youre not elevating yourself
the crowd pressing in on Jesus and
we would be encouraging people to above them or pretending to be
mentioned its like being on the
explore their faith more deeply. For something youre not. Youre a real
London Underground and you see
the older I think its a question of person who has struggles and who is
a friend ahead of you and you want
examining the faith they have been in finding God in that.
to get to them but there are all
touch with. They dont really want to
So if Im helping somebody else these bodies. And it wasnt a clever
be given choices, they want to know.
prepare a talk for young people, one story at all but at that moment
Its all about giving people of the things Ill say to them is Well they understand that crowd.
information in a way they can how was that for you when you tried
Illustrations are important for
understand. With older people I dont that or experienced that in your own
any age audience. But the truth
shy away from dicult subjects life? And for them to give examples
has to be there first to bring it to
isolation, loneliness, anxiety, end of of that.
life and heaven. life. Illustrations on their own are
Another thing is application that not going to make a great talk. But
I think you have to engage the senses always needs to be tailored for the once youve got content and you
a bit more with older people, try to younger audience what does that really know what you want to say,
get them to imagine things, to smell look like? This should always be those illustrations, you can really
things, to think about how you touch help a young person say I really
thought through in terms of the
things and use sight and sound to get get that now.
context of the audience even if what
people living the story.
we acknowledge is the truth for all soulsurvivor.com
Mike Collyers research for the ages. Its fine to say how might they
Church Army on the spiritual needs put it into practice? Or where might
of older people can be found online at they be experiencing this diculty or
www.bit.ly/churcharmyresource this joy?
ILLUSTRATIONS ARE
IMPORTANT. BUT THEN ALSO
THERE ARE ILLUSTRATIONS
THAT ARE MORE LIKE
ANALOGIES. SOME OF THE
PEOPLE WHO ARE BEST AT
SPEAKING TO YOUNG PEOPLE
USE ALMOST CONSTANT
ANALOGY, THE CONSTANT ITS
LIKE MOMENTS.

28 FEATURE
Pastor Michael Ekwulugos

Transformation Life Centre To help me prepare I also listen to a lot
has undergone a lot of change of stand-up. Theres a lot to be learned
because these guys really hold peoples
since the church moved into
attention and their message is so relevant
new premises on the High Street and as theyre talking were laughing they
and began to attract a dierent have this knack and this gift of bringing to
audience. life things we experience every day
We started to get people from all I honour the Holy Spirit when I speak,
sectors of the community. Theres so whatever it is I feel the Holy Spirit places
quite a large concentration of Eastern on my heart that day, its imperative to me
Europeans: Polish, Romanian people. that I convey that, that Im faithful to that.
Theres also a bit of a drug problem
locally and because we have a lot of But I look at Jesus ministry and I look
outreach and we run a food bank, a lot at how he told stories and parables and
of the people that we work with will just depending on who he was talking to he
wander in. We know them by name so made it so current and relevant. So its not
theyll sit down and really interact, not that we have toned anything down, but we
exactly heckle but theyll sit down and have changed the way that we deliver it.
lets just say all inhibitions are gone.
My wife Katrina has a Church of England
One of the main changes we made background and shes just finished her
is the timing of everything. In black BA in Church and Mission so shed come
majority churches its OK to turn up home with all these ideas.
in the morning and leave whenever
so that was one of the first things that Shed ask why do we do that?, and its
had to be addressed. Everything had been a really great journey for the church
to become a lot shorter, including the because a lot of the challenges have been
sermon. So the style of our preaching around why we are predictable why do
now is brief. we only appeal to a certain sector of the
community? Why cant we be relevant to
For me, audience doesnt so much everybody? So they were real questions
frame the content but it does aect the and its really helped us to find our niche.
way that we convey our messages or
OUR JOB IS TO PRESENT IT
the way that we put it together. Transformation Life Centre
IN WAYS THAT HELP THE
www.transformationonline.org.uk
An example is that we now use a lot HEARER SEE THAT IT IS
of clips from films. Well use anything For links to more related content, visit RELEVANT IN THIS AND
from The Lion King to The Matrix and PreachWeb and search #Winter2014Links IN EVERY CULTURE. WE
well use clips from documentaries.
DO SO BY STARTING AT
THEIR UNDERSTANDING
AND TAKING THEM TO
SCRIPTURE FOR THE
WHOLE ANSWER
Sarah Lothian
Sarah is a freelance journalist with 24 years
I HONOUR THE HOLY SPIRIT of experience. She has worked as a tabloid
WHEN I SPEAK, SO WHATEVER reporter, a television
producer and a press
IT IS I FEEL THE HOLY SPIRIT ocer for a childrens
charity. She now writes
PLACES ON MY HEART THAT human interest stories
for publications
DAY, ITS IMPERATIVE TO ME from The Mirror
THAT I CONVEY THAT, THAT IM to Christianity
magazine. She lives
FAITHFUL TO THAT. in London with her
husband and three
young children.

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30 SERIAL
View from the pew
What
are they
thinking?

SERIAL 31
T
Often when we preach, he preacher is new to our church Next he covers the broad sweep of
and I am keen for him to do well. how things have panned out between
the only feedback we get He seems a little nervous and humanity and God. This is good stu,
is the Thanks for a lovely starts out speaking very fast. He and he has some thought-provoking
sermon comments at settles down a bit eventually, but I find insights about how we were designed
the pace fairly manic throughout and I and made to be able to be holy in
the door. In each issue find myself wishing hed make time for Gods image. It is a slightly dierent
of Preach, we will take some pauses and breathe a bit more. angle on a familiar theme. He makes
you inside the mind of an He makes a joke about how lucky we
a punchy statement Gods Spirit
and holiness are part of our created
anonymous congregant. all are to listen to him, and it doesnt
identity, and leaves a slight pause.
sound quite sarcastic enough. Later
We hope the insights will he says we will struggle more with
I am grateful for this it gives me a
chance to write it down, and I think I
be a useful learning tool. holiness than he does. It might just be
will come back to it later and mull it
me, but I prefer it when preachers put
over.
themselves down!
Context: Now he hits the passage hes
The sermon begins with him talking
large evangelical church preaching on, landing on a couple
about how Facebook is becoming more
and more about self-improvement. He of verses in a bit of depth. But I
Service:
gives a few examples and I can think of dont find the application he makes
an evening service
lots more. Most of us here are under 40 convincing; I am not at all sure Paul
Preacher: would agree with the argument the
and what hes saying is connecting. He
the new curate preacher is making based on his
then says how rarely our eorts at self-
Sermon duration : improvement work, and gives a couple words that we should let ourselves
25 minutes of funny examples. He has my attention o the hook a bit with trying to be
at this point. holy because God knows we cant be.
Key passage: My mind wanders as I do a bit of my
Ephesians 4:175:2 Theres now a longish section on how own study on the passage.
the Bible can be read like self-help
advice and how it can therefore make When I come back, he is telling
us feel. It is a bit of a ramble and I a couple of stories about people
think he can sense hes losing us a bit, he knows who changed when
because he actually says he hopes he they became Christians. I wasnt
has our attention and asks us to stay concentrating so I cant blame him
with him. I begin to be a bit irritated at for the fact I cant work out how
this point, and start an inner dialogue these stories connect to his message.
about how I shouldnt be so critical, but But after a minute or so he takes
on the other hand, I cant help but listen another major tangent and I feel
with my brain engaged, and so on. I am frustrated there isnt more of a clear
distracting myself. structure to what hes saying.
He now makes a series of good

and challenging points in a bit of
I AM NOT AT ALL SURE PAUL a scattergun way, and looks at the
WOULD AGREE WITH THE contrast between the old and new
ARGUMENT THE PREACHER self in the passage. He emphasises
IS MAKING BASED ON HIS that our holiness is a collaboration
WORDS THAT WE SHOULD between us and God, and this ends
LET OURSELVES OFF THE up being what stands out to me a
HOOK A BIT WITH TRYING day or two later. I have found his talk
TO BE HOLY BECAUSE GOD left me feeling encouraged that I can
hope to progress, to become more
KNOWS WE CANT BE.
holy, because the Spirit is working on
it with me.

32 REVIEWS
Book
Reviews PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN
THEOLOGY (Fourth Edition)
Floyd H Barackman, Kregel
Publications/Alban Books
This is, in every sense, a big book. It is a very

long, detailed and comprehensive examination
of the great doctrines of the faith and yet the
OUTSTANDING author states in his preface that he does not
oer it as being complete or final. A more
complete or final edition I would be surprised
to see.
GOOD The book examines twelve dierent doctrines:
the Bible, the Doctrine of God, the Father, Lord
Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Angels, Man, Sin,
Salvation, Christian Life, Christian Church and
PERFECTLY OK BUT NOT Future Prophetic Events. Barackmans theology
VERY EXCITING is based on the conviction that the Bible is
the divinely given, inerrant Word of God and
that in order for any reader to understand the
Bibles truth, he or she has to stand in a right
relationship with God and be taught by the
LIFE IS TOO SHORT Holy Spirit.
TO SPEND TIME ON The wonderful thing about this book is that,
THIS BOOK despite its weightiness, it will appeal just
as much to the lay reader as the academic
student. Open it at any page and you are
immediately immersed in interesting and
relevant details of dierent aspects of our
SHOULD NEVER HAVE faith. This book should be required reading
BEEN WRITTEN for all Christians as it addresses all that is
fundamental to our beliefs and the application
of those beliefs to everyday life.
RAY TAYLOR

REVIEWS 33
I think about this book in the same way methods in his own preaching. In
PREACHING THE that I think about some of my lectures addition Mathewson gives guidance on
FOUR GOSPELS WITH when I was studying at theological

college: useful, insightful and yet
issues such as: how preachers construct
sermon series; the relationship between
CONFIDENCE slightly dull (and it has to be said,

occasionally sleep inducing).
the letters of Paul and the ministry of
Jesus; how to preach from passages
Steven D Mathewson, about demons and exorcisms.
Mathewsons experience as both a
Hendrickson Publishers/ pastor and an academic teacher shine Notwithstanding all this sound advice,
Alban Books (2013) through in this intellectually rigorous I cant help think that something of
and yet grounded toolkit for preaching the earth shattering power of the
from the four Gospels. He challenges good news of Jesus Christ has been
preachers not to sidestep the vital lost in Mathewsons book. Learning to
exegetical tasks by researching: Old preach the gospel of Jesus from the
Testament backgrounds; the first four Gospels should be like (to steal
century Jewish context; biblical U2s phrase) learning how to handle an
scholarship; and the insights of atomic bomb. The influence of Jesus
redaction criticism. Mathewson stands not just head and shoulders,
then urges preachers to ensure that but torso, waist, and legs above every
sermons are applied to twenty-first- other person in history. Mathewsons
century issues whilst remaining aligned insistence on rigorous exegesis is
with the original intention of the gospel important. I would appreciate more
writers. This he sees as a big challenge guidance on how to present the best
but one which must be faced with possible news to a cynical culture.
integrity. I was helped by Mathewsons
examples of how he has applied his TOM HOLBIRD
WAS THE TOMB EMPTY? This is the latest book in a long line
of similar books examining and
disproved. Even if the burden of proof
was reversed, the witnesses are still
A LAWYER WEIGHS THE EVIDENCE questioning the accounts of the capable of a ready moral demonstration
resurrection. Graeme Smith was based on their honesty, ability, number,
FOR THE RESURRECTION a solicitor who now is a full-time consistency, conformity of coincidence of
Graeme Smith, judge and recorder, so he calls on his their testimony with experience.
Lion Hudson (2014) extensive legal training and experience
of both sides of the Bench. At the end there is the judges summing
up to the reader (who is a member
He presents the evidence in much the of the jury), being guided to their
same way it would have been in a court verdict. Readers are helped with the
case (albeit the eye witnesses are not useful summaries at the end of each
available to give evidence in person). chapter. Graeme asks at the end of his
There are the opening submissions deliberation that readers answer the
of history, proof and outline of the question themselves, and is invited to
evidence. The evidence is produced give a verdict of Case Closed.
from statements made by Paul, James
and Peter, as well as other evidence Although the book is written by a lawyer,
from such as Josephus, and the it is not couched in legalese. It is easy to
writings of the early church. follow the logic of the arguments and
the basic legal principles, and it allows
Other evidence is gleaned from the
the reader to judge the evidence for
Gospels and ancient manuscripts,
themselves.
history, literature and law. Professor
Simon Greenleaf (nineteenth-century A thoroughly well researched, and well
author and scholar) concluded that written book. I would highly recommend
by applying the Rules of Evidence, the it to all preachers.
testimony of the Gospel writers should
be admitted as true, unless it could be ALAN RASHLEIGH

34 REVIEWS
JESUS: A GOSPEL THE GOOD GOD

Henri Nouwen, Edited by Michael OLaughlin, Michael Reeves,
Orbis Books/Alban Books (2013) Paternoster (2012)
Henri Nouwen died in 1996, but his legacy continues I was given this book by a close friend and it has proved
to grow as new readers discover his simple, profound invaluable. The Trinity is fundamental to our faith; it is
and raw writing. A Harvard academic who moved to something we sometimes attempt to grapple with, but more
live in a community of those with physical and learning often than not put to one side as one of those things that we
disabilities, LArche, his incisive intellect became tempered will never really understand. How is it that God is one and yet
by a gentle humility and acceptance of the love of God. three? In fact, the subject is so notoriously dicult that when
Thomas Becket was Archbishop of Canterbury, he insisted
Jesus: A Gospel is a selection of extracts taken from 29 of that it must be preached upon by the church on Trinity
Nouwens books and articles. While Nouwen never wrote Sunday.
a book about the life of Jesus, Jesus was central to all of
them. Here we have his reflections on Christ gathered The Good God, subtitled Enjoying Father, Son and Spirit,
together, and organised around scenes from the gospels helps us to explore the mystery. Michael Reeves says in his
and general concepts. Each section has a Bible quotation, introduction, God is love because God is a Trinity. Far from
a reflection and a more general remark, and can be read regarding the Trinity as a problem, he believes to know the
alone and used as a meditation. The book is beautifully Trinity is to know God; we are not passing into unchartered
illustrated with Rembrandts drawings of the life of Christ. waters, but rather we are gazing upon the beauty of the Lord.
My first response to the concept of this book was cynical: Reeves explains in lucid detail why it is that God is and must
what a clever money-spinner for Nouwens estate! But be Trinitarian. If God is unchanging, how could he have
once I began reading, I repented, and felt so grateful been loving before creation if he were solitary? To be loving,
to whoever first had the idea. To revisit the accounts you must have others to love, others who reciprocate that
of Jesus life with Nouwen as a guide has been a love. And that is the essence of this book. Reeves continues
transformative experience. Every single page has opened onwards with the nature of the Father, the Son and the Spirit;
my eyes to new aspects of the Messiah and new challenges what they are and what they each oer to us.
to my understanding of what life as his disciple means.
I found the argument appealing; I doubt that any of us can
If you have yet to explore the spirituality and writings of truly comprehend the Trinity but this definitely helped me to
Henri Nouwen, this would be a wonderful place to begin. come closer to understanding and appreciating the nature of
If you are a staunch Protestant, you will need to overcome God. It is a very readable book, not a heavy tome but at the
the hurdle of his adoration of Mary; if you can, you will be same time profound and enlightening. To know God is to love
glad you did. him; and to know him you must know Father, Son and Spirit.
JO SWINNEY JANE BROOKER

REVIEWS 35
PREACHING THE HARD THE MINISTRY OF

WORDS OF JESUS A MESSY HOUSE
Steven D Mathewson, Amanda Robbie, IVP (2013)
Hendrickson Press/
Alban Books (2013)
This is a book that challenges
the prevailing cultures value of
perfectionism, external polish and
materialism, and reminds us that
what matters is grace. As someone
whose kitchen compost bin is always
overflowing, the contents of whose
Tupperware cupboard falls on her chapter, I will have strength to keep
head whenever she opens the door, going if I understand the work of Gods
whose ironing pile is a permanent providence: his ordering of the world,
feature of her bedroom floor, I found including my failure, bringing about his
Amandas honesty, kindness and good purposes for us and for the whole
wisdom deeply comforting. of creation. Anyone who struggles to
Amanda looks at mess in the home, keep on top of the daily grind will find it
the family, the church and the an encouraging and inspiring read.
wider community, opening the door Unfortunately, my copy of this
wide on her own life as a vicars potentially excellent book was marred
wife, mother and writer. She puts by major printing errors not, of course,
There are many hard sayings of Jesus. her finger on the issue so many of the authors fault. Pages 33 to 63 appear
They may seem oensive, hard work us face when it comes to our own twice, and pages 65 to 96 are missing. I
or a million miles away from where inner and outer chaos our mess have to say it: its a bit of a mess.
we are today culturally yet surely makes us doubt Gods goodness and
they still have something to say to us. faithfulness. As she writes in the first JO SWINNEY
This book takes up the challenge of
preachers helping their listeners to
understand the hard sayings of Jesus.
SERMONS OF GEORGE
Mathewson helpfully examines
linguistic techniques such as Whitefield
hyperbole and exaggeration as part
Hendrickson Publishers/
of Jesus tactics, as well as tracing Old
Alban Books (2009)
Testament echoes and cultural insights.
He is not afraid to say exactly how he
thinks these hard passages should be
preached in a way that reflects his This is a collection of 29 sermons
own Evangelical perspective. In this which provide an insight into the
way it is rather narrow. work of George Whitefield. There is
a brief summary of his life, which is
Despite this book being about hard helpful, but there is no introduction headings or other ways of highlighting
sayings, it is an easy read; very and apart from the last two, any particular sections or theological
accessible and with lots of food other information about the time or markers. As it is the reader must plough
for thought. It is interesting, well context for the various sermons. through each particular sermon and
researched and an encouragement to make his or her own notes if this volume
explore those passages that we might The style of each sermon is to take is to provide an insight into the thinking
be tempted to avoid. a particular subject, link it to a text of the eighteenth-century preacher.
(not always an obvious link) and then
This is a useful book for any preacher. to present arguments for that subject This would not be a volume I would
It would equally help anyone interested and to refute arguments against. recommend, apart from its historical
in Bible study. interest.
The sermons in themselves are easy
PAM WEBSTER to read but there are no paragraph JEAN A BALL

36 REVIEWS
JONAH: POET IN EXTREMIS FORGETFUL HEART

Richard Littledale, Lucy Mills, Darton, Longman & Todd (2014)
McKnight and Bishop (2014)
Many of us first heard the story of Jonah and the This book is for those who fall into bed at the end of the
whale as children and subsequently have missed day regretting the time they didnt spend with God, who
its very adult themes. In this short and pacey feel everyone else is managing their Christian life better.
book, Littledale takes us on a vivid journey with It is a book to interrupt the busy.
the runaway prophet and in the process opens up
a whole world of complexity. I particularly enjoyed It is thorough, personal, easy to read and provides
his description of Jonah working out where he insight into the roots of our distraction, in modern times,
was having been swallowed, which draws on throughout biblical history and in many dierent areas
accounts of a man named James Bartley who of life. Its genre is dicult to pinpoint; sometimes self-
allegedly did some time in a whale in 1891. help with insights into dementia and psychology, at
times autobiographical (it arises out of dicult personal
Does a strange little narrative involving a man illness), but it is predominantly, I think, a themed study
implausibly surviving a few days in the stomach guide. Each of the short chapters begins and ends with a
of a sea creature have any relevance today? Bible verse. There is poetry and a prompt for reflection. It
Littledale has, absolute conviction that the can be read alone, as I did (I gained many useful insights)
ancient stories of faith live again in the embodied although it would be great for a house group or book
reality of contemporary faith. Along with a club to read and discuss together. The layout of chapters
creative retelling of the book of Jonah, he facilitates this. It is theologically sound.
explores the intersection of its themes with our
faith and our lives, themes such as prejudice, The final part of the book is concerned with ways of
fear, self-worth, and duty. remembering God. It touches on mindfulness and
contemplation, but for me this section was a little full
The last section of the book is a study guide. I of searching and we need to. In places, it turned busy
would highly recommend using it in a small group forgetting into busy remembering. Peace for your own
Bible study setting. soul comes in learning silence, rhythm, and in outreach
to others.
I do feel duty bound to tell you that there are
a distracting number of typos and typesetting I loved the way Lucys energy and honesty came across.
errors. I was still able to enjoy the read, but for She is sharing a personal journey of searching. I applaud
someone of a more perfectionistic disposition, this her new writing career through books and blog
could be a bit of a barrier. (www.lucy-mills.com) and know there is a sequel here
as her journey continues. I look forward to reading it.
JO SWINNEY STELLA DAVIS

COLUMN 37
COLUMNIST KATE BOTTLEY
The Reluctant Preacher

Its Saturday night. Other people, normal
people, are out at the pictures, or in, eating
wontons and crispy duck and watching TV,
moaning about how theres never anything
on. I might be doing any of these things but
my mind is somewhere else.
S
aturday night inevitably forces at the readings bleary eyed and it dreadfully wrong. What if I preach
a decision: Go and do it now or promising next week I wont do this. heresy? Or make a theological gae?
get up early tomorrow? Every I pray, I write, I desperately try to come Or worse still, what if I bore them?
week I start with the best of up with a tenuous story to illustrate my I get so nervous and so fearful
intentions, to work on it and read all main points. I discard the idea of three because its important to me. For
week and then to write it early and points all starting with the letter Q. most of the congregation it might
edit it. I get into the car and drive to church. be the only teaching they get in a
I preach, its ok, God is there (as he regular week. For our visitors and
I never do. always is) and something stirs. wedding couples it might be the
I could tell you its because I have first bit of teaching they have heard.
three churches and a job in a Further And for me it means making myself
Education college; I could tell you vulnerable to what others and to
its because Im busy and I am, I HAVE ALL THE what God might say.
who isnt? But really its because COMPONENTS OF SOMEONE So next Saturday night, as always,
preaching terrifies me. Sweaty palms, WHO SHOULD LOVE TO Ill have that last minute panic. Next
dry mouth, butterflies in the tummy PREACH. BUT I CONFESS I Sunday morning, as the moment
sort of fear. DONT. MY NAME ON THE gets closer and the Psalm is read,
Im an extreme extrovert, I relish ROTA HAS THE ABILITY TO palms will sweat and the butterflies
being up front. Im from an BRING ME OUT IN A RASH. will stir. And with a dry mouth Ill
evangelical background, weaned on a stand to speak, with a sure and
diet of 30 minutes biblical exegesis. I certain hope that his words will find
have two degrees in theology: I know their way out.
my stu. I am articulate, creative On the drive back I consider what it
and good at story telling. I love the is that stops me from enjoying this
sound of my own voice. I have all the essential part of my ministry, what
components of someone who should makes me so reluctant? What, despite
love to preach. But I confess I dont. my vow at my ordination, makes me so
My name on the rota has the ability fearful of preaching the gospel afresh
to bring me out in a rash. to every generation? Kate Bottley
Kate Bottley is an Anglican priest, wife and mother,
This is a problem for a vicar. And so I think, I reflect and it hits me. Its who also stars in Channel 4s Gogglebox. She
yet again I find myself in the early because despite the lack of feedback, gained a national profile when a YouTube video of
her leading a flash mob at the end of a wedding
morning sermon club (it has its own discussion or debate from most of my ceremony went viral in 2013, and has since done
twitter hashtag and everything. Join congregations, I believe that preaching a wonderful job of dismantling stereotypes about
Church of England clergy.
us we are a friendly bunch). Looking matters, and Im frightened of getting

38 FEATURE
Keep Your Pre

FOUR METHODS
by Nicholas McDonald
Its Saturday morning.

Youve done your research
you know the passage
inside and out. If I asked
you about grammar or
syntax, youd have a ready
answer. You know the
context, have done the
word studies, and prepared
the main point.
B
ut youre not finished. Why? Because
you know, Sunday morning, youll be
preaching to people whove dragged
screaming children into a nursery.
People who will wake up the next morning
to a job they despise. People whose
marriages, finances, or health are on the
rocks, or worse.
You need to make this passage for them.
And now youre sitting, stroking your hair,

beating your pen, wondering: What do I
have to say to these people? You wait. You
pray. Nothings coming so, you borrow
some notes from a few weeks before. Sure,
theyve heard these illustrations. Maybe
youve repeated the application a time or
two. But its good stu, right? They need to
hear it again.

FEATURE 39
aching Fresh
SUNDAY MORNING
The Sunday morning service comes and goes
maybe there were a few sleepers. And the
older people gave you that, Im looking at
you to be polite but Im gone look. But theres
no looking back now.
You close with a final hymn, and breathe a

sigh of relief. At least its over at least its
above reproach. At least it was correct. You
stand at the back of the church, greeting
people. They thank you politely. All of them,
of course, but Betty. Betty is an old saint
wise, but direct. She ambles up after the line
has died down, and clutches your extended
hand with soft, wrinkled grace:
Thanks, Pastor, she says, smiling.

It was a wonderful message. You nod, thank
her, and begin to walk away. Just one thing,
she says.
Of course, you say, forcing a smile.
You gave the same message last week.
Im sorry? you say, feigning kindness.
Those illustrations and applications were

beautiful the first time you preached them,
Pastor. No need to tarnish a good thing.
Betty, I think She stops you, and clasps

your hand gently with both of hers.
Check your notes, Pastor, she says. I think

you need to freshen things up a bit. You
smile, and assure her youll take her advice.

40 FEATURE
FOUR STREAMS OF
REFRESHMENT
Lets be honest every preacher
has been there. We all have dry
seasons, and we all have those
Saturday mornings. Putting in ten
or fifteen hours of exegesis helps it
THE OFFICE gets us thinking. But it doesnt give
us application, or illustration, or
Of course, you wouldnt but for 84, Bettys short term creative ideas. It keeps things faithful,
memory was pretty keen. And shes persistent. Monday but it doesnt keep things fresh.
morning, you obligatorily open your notes Just get it
over with, you tell yourself. You review. And in order to do that, we ourselves
need to be consistently refreshed.
Last week: Accept Jesus, know Jesus, reveal Jesus. Well,
that was a fluke. You flip to a few weeks previous: The In my own life, Ive found creative and
value of personal Bible reading. Okay, not exactly the fresh ideas come from four dierent
same. You look through your illustrations okay, streams of refreshment. If Im not
maybe youve repeated a few over the summer. drinking from these streams, my
Theyre great illustrations, arent they? So what if sermons are stale and dry even if
theyve been heard a hundred times? Ive put hours into getting
it right. I try to delve into
As you set your notes down, you have a sinking feeling each a bit each day, or at
in your stomach: My wells are running dry, you think. least each week. They keep
Bettys right. Im like a broken record. Same illustrations. me learning, so they keep
Same applications. And when Im not repeating myself, Im me leading.
just preaching sermons
that are way too up in
the air for anyone to
care. What do I do?
IF WERE TO KEEP PREACHING

FRESH, WE NEED TO
KEEP IT RELEVANT. AND
THAT MEANS KEEPING
IT PERTINENT TO THE
DIVERSITY OF PROBLEMS,
SINS AND STRUGGLES WHICH
CONSTANTLY ASSAULT OUR
CONGREGATIONS.

FEATURE 41
Here they are: time are like oil and water. Carving 4. The Stream of Study
out daily time to read Scripture (other Its an old Spurgeon adage
1. The Stream of Rest than the texts youre preaching on) that the preacher ought
A writer once wrote, Ive and prayerfully responding will always to prepare a sermon with
forgotten who: When I take show itself in your sermon, whether the Bible in one hand and
a walk, angels talk to me. you know it or not. a newspaper in the other. Whether
Ive found that to be true in
Remember: your congregation can that newspaper is paper or electronic,
both writing and preaching. If Im stuck
only grow as mature as you are. And if Spurgeon is correct: preachers need
in my studies, I go for a midday jog. I
you havent matured in the last week in to stay fresh by staying in their
find, almost universally, that this little
Christlikeness, neither will they. If you culture. For me, I constantly find that
practice jostles my blood-flow enough
want to keep your preaching fresh, you my personal spiritual reading, novel
to bring new ideas to mind.
need to spend time away in worship. reading, or cultural reading always
In fact, Ive found over the years that results in fresh illustrations and
sometimes my study is best served by 3. The Stream of Relationships applications to the current situation.
leaving it. Receiving adequate rest and While it might seem ideal Without these newspapers in hand, I
exercise is like sharpening the saw to to acquire fresh find my sermons become boring.
cut down the tree sure, you can work perspectives by being
Make it a habit of studying not just
really hard with a dull blade. But you on the mountaintop of
the scriptures, but the world they
could work more quickly and eectively personal study all week, the truth is
illuminate. Scripture is a lens, not
if you stepped away from the tree, and pastoring real people coincides with
simply a canvas it is meant to be
sharpened the axe. preaching in a way that is striking,
looked through, to see the reality
and new. If you havent spent time with
For me, exercise is a form of rest from that surrounds us from the correct
people in your congregation in the last
my study it sharpens the blade. When perspective. The preacher who has his
few weeks significant time dont
I return, Im ten times more eective eyes set on the text and blinds himself
expect to know how to preach to them.
than I was when hacking away. to the world will constantly find his
Unfortunately, many pastors neglect Preaching and pastoring are like two sermons lacking in freshness, because
their personal health in the name of oars in a rowing boat; if you only theyre lacking in reality. Instead, the
serving the church. But how well is the have one, youll just go in circles. preacher can take a lesson from Christ
church served by an overworked axe? If Often the reason Im at a dead-end on use the flowers, and sparrows, and
you want to keep your preaching fresh, Saturday morning is because I have farmers of the twenty-first-century to
you need to be refreshed yourself and no relational wells to draw on from my illuminate the goodness and grandeur
that means taking care of the body God pastoral experiences. But when I spend of God, their Creator.
has given you. time listening to people their real
lives, their fears, their dreams, their
2. The Stream of Worship struggles I dont have a dicult time
Its a rule for me that if taking Haddon Robinsons suggestion
Ive not been personally of sitting them in an imaginary circle
worshipping the Lord in my oce and saying: So-and-so,
throughout the week, its how does this apply to you?
impossible for me to encourage others
toward worship on Sunday morning. If were to keep preaching fresh,
Preaching is always a personal matter we need to keep it relevant.
you will always reflect your growth, And that means keeping it
or lack thereof, from the pulpit. As pertinent to the diversity
Martyn Lloyd Jones has once said, of problems, sins and
Preaching is logic on fire. If theres struggles which
no fire in your belly, Jeremiah-style, constantly assault our Nicholas McDonald
your preaching wont be fresh. If your congregations. Nicholas is an M.Div student at
Gordon Conwell Theological seminary
growth is stagnant, your sermons will and youth/assistant teaching pastor
at Carlisle Congregational Church.
be stagnant as well. He blogs about preaching at
www.scribblepreach.com, which
This doesnt mean that at the end of a has been featured on The Gospel
Coalition, Christianity Today, the
dicult week, you try to eke out some Lifeway blog, and more. He
spiritual sustenance from your time in currently resides in South
Hamilton, MA.
the study no. Study time and worship

42 SERIAL
Preaching Problems:
advice from our panel
way? Does he find the preaching
THE SCENARIO dicult or distressing, for instance,
or are the noises actually a token
I am an Anglican vicar in a of his enjoyment? Secondly, I would
fairly formal rural church, encourage him and his carer to move
with a regular congregation as near to the front of the congregation
of around 60 adults. as possible. That way, although the
sounds will be more obvious to you,
The children go out to a side they will be less so to the congregation.
With your visitor in the front row,
room during the sermon for
there are no worshippers in the rows
age-appropriate activities. ahead to worry about! Thirdly, I
Recently we have had a man wonder whether it might be possible to
with learning disabilities join acknowledge the noises in some way
us. He comes with his carer early on in the sermon. Maybe if you
RICHARD LITTLEDALE can demonstrate that you take them in
and sits at the back. Several your stride by saying Im glad to hear
The first principle to underline here
church members have made you are with me, X, others will do the
is that the man you describe is a
a real eort to welcome him. child of God. As such he deserves the
same. This needs to be done carefully,
I am delighted he has joined in order to avoid patronising and
same dignity, respect and welcome
cannot be repeated every week.
us, and I hope he will stay and as any member of the congregation,
become part of the family. including the preacher! God has In the end, it is quite possible that
honoured you by entrusting him to none of these measures will work. If
My issue is this: while he sits your care, and it is good to read that so, the church as a whole have to ask
quietly for most of the service, others are sharing the responsibility themselves: is it better to have him
when I get up to preach, he of making him feel welcome. Welcome, there with the noises than not there
begins to make loud grunting of course, is part of the problem. You without them? If the answer is yes
want to welcome him as he is, but then the principles Paul outlines in
noises and growls that in doing so it causes diculties in Romans 12 about deferring to the
continue throughout my welcoming others as they are. other surely apply. Your persistence,
sermon. I find it hard to stay and his, will yield fruit.
I would suggest three separate
focussed on what I am saying, measures, before returning to the
and I can see it is distracting principle stated above. The first Richard Littledale
and disruptive for many of my move would be to talk to his carer, Richard Littledale is the minister of Teddington
listeners too. Do you have any or preferably to the man and his Baptist Church, and has always had a lively interest
in innovative communication. He has written several
carer together. Is there anything
advice about how to handle in particular during the preaching
books on preaching as well as two childrens stories.
He is a radio broadcaster and runs a busy blog at
this situation? which causes him to behave this
richardlittledale.me.uk.
Each issue, our panel will address a tricky preaching problem. If you have something you would value
their wisdom on, send it to editor@lwpt.org.uk. Please indicate whether you would like to be anonymous.

SERIAL 43
MANDY BRIGGS where several people with physical

and learning disabilities were present.
You know how it is. Youve crafted During the Communion liturgy, one
a brilliant sermon and carefully lady went up to the front to receive
chosen the hymns. before the bread was broken. Quietly,
a steward came and stood with her,
The liturgy and prayers seem perfect
and even though the liturgy was
for this particular Sunday and you
not in the right place the minister
are looking forward to a service
gave her bread and wine and she sat
which flows well and where people
down again. It was a moment when
can worship and meet with God. Then
something happens. Someones mobile humanity shone through and it was
starts ringing repeatedly. Two toddlers an example of inclusivity at its best.
run to the front and start chasing each It is good to hear that several church
Talk to both the man and his carer.
other around the lectern. Or with the
Remember that people with learning members have made a real eort to
issue that you are referring to people
diculties may still have good levels welcome this man. There are training
may voluntarily or involuntarily make
of understanding and it is important courses available for churches who
noises which you feel are distracting.
to avoid a does he take sugar? wish to improve their welcome in
There is no such thing as a perfect scenario. Find out more about him, terms of buildings, hospitality and
service, because people are present. The why coming to church is important to inclusivity (try The Methodist Churchs
congregations in which we are called to him and if there is anything that may First Impressions Count course via
preach and serve are fabulously messy, be triggering his outbursts. Maybe www.methodist.org.uk).
imperfect gatherings of humanity. And you can contact other organisations
as the body of Christ we are called to or groups or any family who can Mandy Briggs
care for one another and bear with provide further pointers and advice. Mandy Briggs is a Methodist minister based in Bristol.
As Education Ocer at the New Room/John Wesleys
each other. That is a good place to start Chapel, she is exploring how to share the Methodist
when considering your discomfort in Recently I attended a Communion story with all ages (www.newroombristol.org.uk) She
can also be found on Twitter @mandbristol.
this situation. service at a small Methodist church
It may be that in being in charge of a its a little dicult to oer specific

service we feel a degree of responsibility ways forward. But an approach to
which causes us to overreact. The the carer is an obvious first step to
second thing was that after the service gauge whether they are aware of the
a member of the congregation told me disruption (some people seem to have
that this was only the second time this the capacity not to notice) and whether
young woman had attended after years they have any coping strategies. Might
of absence caused by hurts sustained it be possible to involve a sensitive and
in teenage years. Her husband, who caring member of the congregation
attends regularly, had taken their two to sit nearby and be on hand to help?
other children out so that she could stay Sometimes a public acknowledgement
in. Beneath most situations of disruption of the person causing disruption can
there is a story of need and expectation. help to diuse things. But this requires
very good communication skills and is
Which is not to say we do nothing! probably fairly high-risk! But one way
DAVID BRACEWELL Always we have to negotiate between or another it is important to share the
Ive just returned from preaching at a the extremes of ignoring the situation situation with others so that you dont
local church where a mother and young in the hope that it will somehow resolve feel solely responsible for finding a
child sat on the front row, causing a fair (realising that sometimes saying we solution. With skill, care and prayer a
amount of disruption during the sermon dont want to cause any oence can be way forward will emerge.
and the prayers which followed. a spiritual cover for not knowing what
to do!) and proactively trying to sort it David Bracewell
My own instinctive irritation was out with the risk of causing people to David Bracewell was Rector of Saint Saviours in
tempered by two things. First, I realised feel unwanted.
Guildford for over 20 years. Now ocially retired,
he continues to travel the country training and
on reflection that the congregation encouraging church leaders. He is passionate about
(about 60 people) were quite relaxed In this case the nature of this persons the role of the local church and considers the greatest
mistake to make as a preacher is to be boring.
and didnt seem to share my concern. problems have not been stated so

44 FEATURE

FEATURE 45
Jesus
the Great
Innovator
by Dr Georey Stevenson
In this article I will consider three ways in

which Jesus was a great innovator in his
preaching: theologically, hermeneutically,
and rhetorically. To be completely frank,
the first two are well beyond what a
short article can address, but I have hope
that in considering the third we might
be challenged and inspired in our own
preaching in the church today.

46 FEATURE
Theological innovation
Firstly, most obviously and yet also most
profoundly, Jesus preaching of the good news
was theological news: Repent, for the kingdom JESUS WAS THEOLOGICALLY
of heaven has come near (Matthew 4:17). It must INNOVATIVE, BUT THAT DOES
have been the best news, I cant help adding, to NOT GIVE US LICENSE OR
those who had not heard it before; revolutionary, PERMISSION TO ATTEMPT TO
innovative, and even now endlessly worthy of the BE THE SAME.
contemporary preachers closest attention.
The kerygma this good news message of

salvation, of healing, of release that he promised
to the poor, to the oppressed, to the prisoner this However in this I think he patterned
good news message forms the content and focus what is sometimes referred to now as
and the drive of every Christian sermon worthy of the trouble/grace school of preaching.
the name. It is the Christian preachers foundation Stage one is to ask, where is there
stone, the sine qua non. If we are not preaching trouble in the text, where is the sin
the good news, we are not preaching. However, or disease or conflict or disorder or
innovation, at least for us, doesnt come into it. fallenness of humankind, and then
Jesus was innovative, theologically speaking, but to ask where is the instance or hint or
our charge as followers is not to innovate a new promise of grace in the text, where Gods
gospel. It is rather to bring the old, old story to redemptive, healing, liberating purpose
twenty-first-century listeners inside and outside of can be glimpsed. Stage two is to look for a
the church. Where you stand on the conservative parallel or analogical situation in the world of
liberal radical spectrum will of course determine the preacher and listeners, and to ask where is
how much you think theological innovation is there trouble in that world, and where is there,
possible and necessary in postmodern cultures or where could there be grace in that world. The
with pluralistic and relativistic worldviews. It is American homiletician Paul Scott Wilson is an
well beyond the scope of this article to enter that articulate exponent of this approach to preaching,
debate. Jesus was theologically innovative, but which does not lead to specific models, he says, but
that does not give us license or permission to rather a deep grammar for preaching.1
attempt to do the same. (If you find an eective
way to preach Don Cupitts non-realism or Paul Another way of looking at the hermeneutic
Tillichs ontological ground of our being as good innovations of Jesus is to ask what were the
news, by all means let me know.) scriptures he focused on, and which did he ignore?
As the Franciscan contemplative Richard Rohr has
Hermeneutical innovation provocatively pointed out, the hermeneutic of Jesus
foregrounds issues of mercy, of inclusivity, of justice
The second way in which Jesus could be on earth. He avoids passages that arm violence, or
considered an innovator is in his hermeneutical separatism, or religious imperialism. Some books are
approach to his own Scriptures. How did he read quoted, others are ignored. Rohr suggests that Jesus
and interpret the Old Testament? Jesus believed taught a hierarchy of truths and illustrates that by
in the authority of the Scriptures, certainly (see noting: Jesus says that the entire law and all the
Matthew 4:4) and his intention was often to lead prophets (Matthew 22:40) are summed up in love of
people to a truer understanding of the meaning God and love of neighbour. In doing so, he shockingly
of the Scriptures (as in Matthew 23:23). The dismisses hundreds of clear laws and prescriptions!2
interpretation of his own scriptures leads him into Again, Im thinking, it is not our job to innovate new
theological innovation, of course, and had a direct hermeneutical methods, but to be faithful to our
bearing on the kerygma, above. The Matthean theological heritage and to seek honest, wise and
You have heard that it was said pericopes are grace-filled readings both of the Scriptures and of the
a striking example. We are rarely if ever able to world where Gods grace works in multiple and often
interpret our scriptures so radically. mysterious ways.

FEATURE 47
Rhetorical Innovation
Finally, rhetoric. Recently Ive been without ideas and concepts that address
wondering, WWJT? (What would Jesus or correspond with the listeners felt
tweet?) The extreme brevity of the concerns. As cultural expressions develop
medium could be an advantage for and change preachers need to know the
gnomic utterances and might give them dierence, say, between Wallace Simpson
the ambiguity of a punchy parable. A and Marge Simpson as well as between
pastor in Hawaii invites congregants wheat and tares.
whom he knows will be on their
Where was Jesus wielding the rhetorical
smartphones anyway to text him their
tools of his culture, and where was he
answers to multiple choice questions that
making an innovative leap forward in
he poses on his PowerPoint slides during
first-century CE rabbinical discourse? The
his sermon. Others allow Twitter feeds to
unequivocal evidence that would provide
scroll past during the sermon. So it seems
for that study is not there, as far as I can
that creative preachers restlessly search
see. But the challenges that his preaching
for new technologically-enabled angles,
discourse raises for preachers today are
in the hope that they may thus compete
instructive and inspiring nevertheless.
with the mass media technoscapes which
We could start with his use of parables
increasingly form the background and
and enigmatic sayings (see Mark 4:11 and
even the foreground of the lives of their
4:3334). However studying the parables
listeners. In this they are arguably seeking
of Jesus we quickly learn that, as Robert
to emulate the rhetorical innovations of
H Stein pointed out, Jesus was drawing
the preaching of Jesus.
on a well-established Jewish tradition
Rhetoric, or the art and science of of mashal.3 We learn also that the term
discourse, has universal rules codified by parable is an umbrella term for a wide
Aristotle, refined by the Roman Cicero variety of figures of speech including
and developed for Christian preachers simile, extended metaphor, little story, and
by Augustine. Logos, the argument or allegory. The challenge of Jesuss parables
power of the spoken word, is fatally (which is also the title of an excellent
undermined without ethos, the listeners compendium by Richard Longenecker) is
positive perception of the character and particularly that they convey a point not
integrity of the speaker. The argument only in intellectual but also in aective
is also weakened without pathos the ways. (Sometimes: Julichers single
engagement with the listeners emotions, point understanding of parables has
and by extension the relationship of the been widely superseded.) And even that
message to real life. In the estimations summary risks undervaluing the way
of the gospel writers, the ethos of Jesus parables work. Often they seem designed
the teacher and preacher is unparalleled. to get past a mental guard, to get under
According to all four writers he spoke with the skin, or to turn preconceptions on
authority and power and wisdom that was their head so violently that laughter is the
astonishing. Luke refers to amazement first, but by no means the only response.
at the gracious words that came from his The deliberate withholding of clarity, as
mouth. Matthew contrasts the remarkable in Luke 8:910, seems to be an innovation
authority that Jesus exhibited, compared too far for contemporary preachers who
to that of the scribes. strive to be clear at all times. There is a
challenge in Jesus use of parables to work
At the same time as being virtually with ambiguity and mystery, to expect the
universal, rhetoric is culturally embedded, listener to do more work, and to preach
for the preacher cannot gain a hearing in ways that are less spoon-feeding and
without thought-forms and speech- more provocative.
forms comfortable for the listeners, or

48 FEATURE
Equally important in a rhetorical

consideration of the discourse of
Jesus are the subjects, the details ORAL SPEECH FOR PREACHING, IF IT IS TO FOLLOW THE
and the local colour. He told stories INNOVATIONS OF JESUS, NEEDS TO BE SPICED WITH DOWN-
about bread and yeast and mustard TO-EARTH METAPHORS, LANGUAGE THAT EVOKES THE FIVE
seeds, lost sheep and lost coins, SENSES, AND ENGAGING STORIES FROM THE TIME AND
money (paying, investing and taxing CULTURE OF THE LISTENERS.
it), jealousy and covetousness,
squabbling brothers, managers
and tenants, slaves and owners,
Pharisees and tax collectors, of situations and locations, from corpus of teaching that is powerfully
impoverished widows and arrogant synagogues and hillsides, to rooms so validated by their rising from the
judges, children and rich young jammed that one importunate was dead. Nor is my focus on the rhetoric
rulers, wedding banquets and lowered through the roof, and lakeside of Jesus very useful if considered in
bridesmaids and husbands and crowds so large and so pressing that isolation. Jesus was not a wandering
wives. In short, he drew widely from the best pulpit was a boat rowed out rabbi with a vital message and some
the tapestry of first-century rural from the shore. But the teaching he especially eective communication
Palestinian life, with images that gave in individual encounters tells us methods, but the Word of God
are arresting and immediate. They something else: it speaks of penetrating incarnate, a breathing, speaking,
are almost visceral, by which I mean insight and spiritual discernment listening, doing being whose ethos
they are heard in the body, because combined with gut level compassion validated his logos in ways that are
they speak of things that are seen, and unbounded mercy. His encounters unique in history. His words and
heard, touched, tasted, or smelt. with Nicodemus, Nathaniel, the his works rippled out in space and
They are about the everyday felt Samaritan woman at the well, the rich time through a group of previously
experiences of his listeners, while young ruler and others have given unlearned but Spirit-led disciples.
lofty abstraction and conceptualising us teaching that is not only validated An innovator unique in history
is kept to a minimum. This is too by the man who gave it, but made is a tough act to follow, but the
easily given a nodding but non- accessible for listeners 2000 years exciting challenge to preachers
committal assent by preachers who later by the immediacy and details of today is clear enough: words and
have had to reach their ministerial the story. The implication for sermons deeds go together. Preaching must
ordination through a university today is clear: by all means preach be embodied and integrated with
education. If only preachers today precepts, but search tirelessly for the eective ministry, but thankfully,
would use more vulgar language, story or illustration of the individual not all in the lone man or woman.
with fewer Latinate words and grasping or being transformed by the The Body of Christ preaching in
more Anglo-Saxon words. Oral precept you are trying to teach and the world today is composed of
speech for preaching, if it is to follow then tell that story skillfully. dierently gifted diverse members
the innovations of Jesus, needs who need to share the family
Can contemporary preachers usefully likeness, and who need to be
to be spiced with down-to-earth
seek to emulate the innovations of demonstrably and vitally relationally
metaphors, language that evokes
the five senses, and engaging stories Jesus? In informal surveys of preachers connected. Of course the preacher
from the time and culture of the and their formative influences, Jesus must walk the walk, but not alone:
listeners.4 is often cited as a role model. Which the church preaches and walks
is fine in a way, except that preachers with words and works that together
Next there are the innovative today do not normally accompany their speak of the glory and redemptive
contexts for the preaching of preaching with miraculous healings purposes of Jesus, the Great
Jesus. The accounts tell of a range and deeds of power, and or have a Innovator.
Georey Stevenson
Georey Stevenson teaches homiletics at
New College, Edinburgh and Cranmer
Hall, Durham. Before his PhD
at Edinburgh he was Director
of the Centre for Christian
1. Wilson, Paul Scott (2004) Preaching and Homiletical Theory. St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press. Communication at St Johns
2. Rohr, Richard. Hierarchy of Truths: Jesus Use of Scripture (CAC Webcast, December 2013) College, Durham. He was
<http://store.cac.org/Things-Hidden-Hierarchy-of-Truths-CD_p_349.html> Accessed 28 August 2014. the editor ofThe Future of
Preachingand the co-
3. Stein, Robert H. (2000) The Genre of the Parables in Longenecker, Richard N, The Challenge of Jesus author with Stephen
Parables. Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., pp 3050. Wright ofPreaching
4. See especially Day, David (2005) Embodying the Word. London: SPCK. With Humanity.

PARABLES REMIXED 49
RLD
Parables
OWN,
WO
E
TH
AT
U
H
YO
T E
US
Remixed
R
B ET T E
EH
O
H
BY T
R
FA
IS
N
IT
N.
THA
ME
D
O
WO
OU
SY
N ES
D
NA
DN
E
ARY M
OO
O R D IN VE
.
TS
FG
N O
I
TS
DR
A C
SE
SIMPLE
THE
U
RE
YO
BY R
O R T HE C A
REP
U R
A
WE
YO
TTLE
OU
GE
Inspiration for contemporary parables

is all around us. Here are a few
JU D
SY
HA HE KE
HE
examples:
LL
OT
CL 1. Car problems: Jesus lived among

T
S THE donkeys and camels. We deal with

trac and engine trouble.
2. Gardening: Jesus talked about
farmers sewing seeds, storing up
grain, harvesting weeds. Perhaps
more of us would now relate to
keeping the slugs o our sweet peas
and the challenge of a maintaining a
weed-free lawn.
Malcolm Pettit urges us When you make a cup of tea, dont 3. Keeping fit: Health problems resulting
worry whether the kettle is old- from a sedentary life would have been
to give a new twist to fashioned and blackened by years of unheard of in ancient Palestine. Now
old truths use over a stove, or whether it is a many people have gym memberships
A
bright and shiny electric kettle or even and belong to sports clubs.
common criticism of the
a simple camping kettle on a primus 4. New forms of communication: We are
church is that we speak
stove. First, you will need to be sure constantly in touch with each other
too much in old-fashioned
the water is clean and pure free from by text, email and Twitter. Are we as
language and in a style
anything that might spoil the taste well in touch with God?
that doesnt make a lot of sense in
when the tea is made. Take care that the
todays world. Jesus taught using As you read this list, you will see the
cups are clean and the milk fresh. Above
everyday situations he saw around possibilities are almost endless. Try and
all, be sure that the water is really
him: lost sheep, lost treasures, come up with some of your own ideas,
boiling. After all, nobody will thank you
the call and skill of shepherds. and Jesus, Son of God, who is with us
if the kettle is clean or modern if the tea
Preachers should look around their now and always, will guide you.
is lukewarm and tastes awful. The kettle
lives and worlds with some of the
Georey Stevenson represents ordinary men and women. It
imagination Jesus used, perceive
is far better that the world shall judge Malcolm Pettit
the truths and use them.
you by the simple acts of goodness Malcolm Pettit was a local preacher
If Jesus was walking on earth you do than by the house you own, the from 1962 to 2013. He has lived all
over the country, from London to
today, in our particular corner, clothes you wear or the car you drive. It Biggleswade to Wimboune. He is
might his teaching not have is what you do with your inner gifts and now retired and lives with his wife
in Chichester.
sounded a bit like this? graces that matter.

50 INTRODUCING PREACHWEB
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INTRODUCING PREACHWEB 51
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52 POEM
Silence
By Catherine James
There are sounds in our silence.
A birds wings beat percussion.

There is a metallic glitter
In the leaves that shake in the high branches.
Childrens voices from a far garden
Echo and re-echo,
And the air carries

The distant pounding of the great sea.
The trac of the nearer roads

Blurs to a murmur,
And each path reverberates

With footfalls.
Lord, you are the Master Musician,
And you are at the deep centre of all stillness.
Grant us your silence,

Your peace,
To carry with us
Into the noise
and motion
Of our days.

POEM 53
Catherine James
Catherine James was born in Sheeld, and after
a teaching career in dierent parts of the country,
she now lives in Derby. She is a local preacher in
the Derby Circuit. Catherines poems are often
influenced by her love of the natural world and
her fascination with the places she visits.

54 SERIAL
The Late Greats

John Wyclie
by Rev Dr Jonathan Hustler
1331? 137677
John Wycliffe Timeline Wyclie born Wyclies preaching
campaign in London
NOTE:
Many of the details of Wyclies life are obscure and sometimes disputed. 135081 1377 First papal
There is debate about the date of his birth Robertsons assertion that Wyclie in Oxford bulls condemning of
he was certainly born before 1328 now appears to be inaccurate. Wyclies ideas

SERIAL 55
FOR WYCLIFFE, THE POINT OF PREACHING WAS TO

UNCOVER THE MEANING OF THE GOSPEL; BIBLICAL
EXEGESIS WAS USUALLY FOLLOWED BY CLEAR
APPLICATION, EITHER A COMMENT ON THE EVILS OF
HIS DAY OR GUIDANCE IN LIVING AS A CHRISTIAN.
W
John Wyclie has been yclie valued preaching highly Wyclie was a polemicist. Always an
and reckoned it the first duty academic, his preaching engaged
celebrated since the of the ordained. He preached the theological debates of the time.
sixteenth century as a both in Latin (the language He was also politically aware and
of his extant sermons) and in English informed, having been employed in
preacher and lecturer depending on the audience. His ideas the service of the government. But he
whose thinking in parts meant that he gained a following and had radical views on the distribution
anticipated that of the younger Wyclite preachers may of property which coincided with the
have used and adapted his sermons unrest of the Peasants Revolt of 1381.
Protestant Reformers (giving us the English Wyclie
more than a century sermons). Wyclie could entertain. He would
deny that that was his purpose,
later. Born in Yorkshire in The evidence is not always clear, but he was enough of an orator to
about 1331, Wyclie spent but from his published sermons and know how to make his preaching
what we know of his life we can credit mellifluous. He could also be
most of his life and career Wyclies eectiveness as a preacher to outrageously, if amusingly, rude
in Oxford, studying and three features: about those with whom he disagreed.
lecturing at the University. His sermons were designed to be Wyclies preaching in London in
In 1380 his controversial straightforward interpretations 13767 seems to have made him
of Scripture. Wyclie was scathing extremely popular; it is not hard to
ideas were censured by about preachers who used elaborate see why. Listening to Wyclie preach
the University and he sermon forms common at the time. must have been quite an experience
retired to his Rectory For Wyclie, the point of preaching as he made the Scriptures come alive
was to uncover the meaning of the with understandable exegesis, applied
at Lutterworth (in gospel; Biblical exegesis was usually it directly to the situation of his day,
Leicestershire) where he followed by clear application, either and took caustic sideswipes at his
a comment on the evils of his day or opponents.
died in 1384. guidance in living as a Christian.
Jonathan Hustler
1380 1384 1415 Jonathan Hustler is a Methodist presbyter
Wyclie censored and (December 31st) Wyclie declared who has served in three circuits and
silenced in Oxford Wyclie died heretic as vice principal of Wesley House,
Cambridge. He teaches and writes
on church history, preaching, and
pastoral theology. He is now
Ministerial Coordinator for the
1381 1412 Oversight of Ordained Ministries
Wyclie retired to his Papal condemnation in the Connexional Team.
living at Lutterworth of Wyclies writings

56 LWPT GRANTS
LWPT Vocational
Training Grants
One of the ways LWPT
supports preachers is Case Study: Will and Pip Campbell Clause
through grants to those
W
e took part in a course the course provided plenty of new
looking to explore or in North Carolina called material and biblical insight which
develop their calling. Watershed Discipleship will be of huge value in providing
and Sabbath Economics sound, and engaging teaching in
We support people on it focused on equipping participants churches. Last but not least it was
gap years, on academic to act and speak on the subjects wonderfully inspiring to visit the
of justice and creation care. We beautiful forests and mountains
programmes and on wanted to take part because we of North Carolina, and to witness
short-term preacher- are starting an initiative here in first-hand the amazing work being
training opportunities. the UK (CACTUS) to help church done by various communities
communities engage in the mission to protect and conserve Gods
Applicants must of creation care, particularly by handiwork there.
supporting sustainable food systems.
demonstrate an aptitude We thought the course would help We are hugely grateful for the
funds from LWPT which enabled
and passion for preaching provide the tools for preaching and
our participation in this very
teaching in our mission.
and financial need, and important course, and we are now
we will seek references The course was tremendously rich much better equipped to go about
on several levels: Firstly, being our work of teaching on the subject
from a member of your able to network with others who of justice and creation care in
church leadership team. have similar vocations and have church communities.
greater experience in this area
If you would like to find was extremely helpful we
out more, please visit have formed lots of
www.preachweb.org/ new friendships with
the people there and
train/grants, or contact there is a lot of scope
the LWPT oce. for being able to
work alongside one
another in the future,
on both sides of the
pond! Secondly,
LWPT are able to support people like Will and Pip to concentrate on their calling
by relieving them of some of the financial burden. These grants are funded solely
by donations to LWPT. You can give by visiting www.preachweb.org/donate or by
sending a cheque to our oce at PO Box 2352, Watford, Herts WD18 1PY.

PRAYER 57
A prayer
by W Trevor Nuttall
Heavenly Father, we do not believe your word, and often think we know
better than Jesus, the embodiment of Truth. In our pride we discount
your miracles and seek worldly explanations at the human level.
W
e persist in limiting our minds to the he who is King of Kings! We confine God the
concept of a God of love, and shut Creator to heaven, though you would be our
out the unwelcome demands of a true Father; and we pay scant attention to the
righteous God, forgetting that, if we Holy Spirit, who waits patiently to convict and
are to come to God at all, we will be drawn into convince, and to make us into new creatures
the same spiritual warfare which caused Jesus in Christ, able to understand and live by, the
to die on the cross. precepts of our God.
Forgive our church for losing its relationship There is indeed no health in us. We grieve
with the Father of our Jesus. We undervalue our almighty Father in all these things and
the clear words of Jesus and persistently follow we set ourselves up before a jealous God, at
the imperfect reasoning of our own hearts our peril! In the pride that is so abhorrent to
(although the heart is deceitful above all things you, we judge your word and your acts by
and desperately wicked; Jeremiah 17:9, KJV). our standards, limited by our minds and our
Call us, and grant us no peace until we seek the sin, and so we prevent your working in and
way back to you. through us.
We try to ignore what it cost Jesus in We do not deserve salvation because we do not
Gethsemene, as he faced out the Satan we dare value it. Forgive us, Lord Jesus.
to say does not exist; thus we despise the sweat
and blood of his anguish and obedience. We But praise be to God for sending Jesus, who
think little of his promise that, If anyone loves while we were yet sinners became sin for
me, he will obey my teaching; my Father will us that we might become the righteousness
love him, and we will come to him and make of God. We give heartfelt thanks for the
our home with him. forgiveness he has bought for us at terrible
cost. May we praise and glorify him in the
We do not try to understand your clear church and the world, until we cast our
teaching, and the work of the three persons of crowns before the throne of grace, and see
the Trinity Godhead; we confine Jesus to earth; him face to face! In Jesus name, Amen.
FORGIVE OUR CHURCH FOR LOSING ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER OF
OUR JESUS. WE UNDERVALUE THE CLEAR WORDS OF JESUS AND PERSISTENTLY
FOLLOW THE IMPERFECT REASONING OF OUR OWN HEARTS. CALL US, AND
GRANT US NO PEACE UNTIL WE SEEK THE WAY BACK TO YOU.

58 SERIAL
Pulpit Bloopers
For those who preach regularly, it is inevitable that from time
to time we may not say quite what we mean
T
he all-time heavyweight champion A nervous pastor, preaching his first about eating fried chicken with
of pastor bloopers is the legendary ever Easter sermon, shouted out potatoes and gravy. He ended his
Rev William Archibald Spooner dramatically: Jesus rose and then he sermon by reading a line from a song:
(18441930), an English clergyman died again. Hallelujah! Rescue the perishing care for the
who became world-famous for his slips dying, snatch the poor sinner from sin
of the tongue. His uncanny ability to Another minister was conscious of and the gravy!
the lengthy sermon he delivered the
transpose words has given us such
previous Sunday. In an attempt to Mike Walk, preaching on forgiveness:
gaes, today known as Spoonerisms as
assure his congregation that this Jesus says to forgive 7 times 70. Thats
The Lord is a shoving leopard [loving
week would be dierent, he said, To 210 TIMES! Not quite Mike. Try 490
shepherd], before a service, Mardon
compensate for last weeks sermon of
me, Padam, this pie is occupewed. Can
20 points, this weeks sermon will be
I sew you to another sheet? [Pardon
pointless.
Email us your
me, Madam, this seat is occupied. Can favourite blooper
I show you to another seat?], and at The late Jack Exum Sr was really (editor@lwpt.org.uk). We will
the end of a wedding ceremony, It is hungry. He had gone over time and print the best in the next edition
kisstomary to cuss the bride. as he was preaching, he was thinking of Preach magazine.
Cartoon: Dave Walker www.cartoonchurch.com

Digging for Treasure
Expository Preaching: Revelation Today!
One-day expository preaching conference for

Methodist preachers, ordained and lay.
Saturday, 15th November 2014

10:00am - 4:30pm
Methodist Central Hall, Westiminster
25.00
Speakers: Revd Dr Peter Graves & Revd Dr Steve Brady
Hosted by David Hull & John Wiltshire
Join us for an inspirational day!
This event is supported by

PREACHWEB.ORG

Preach Magazine Issue 1 - Winter 2014

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Winter 2014

LWPT8173 - Preach Magazine - Issue 1 v3.indd 1 17/10/2014 12:53:26

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What are the right

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From your editor COUNCIL OF

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Preach the news

Whats the story? Ask God for help in building

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The spiritual journey of a second generation legend

AT FIRST I THINK I ACCEPTED

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LWPT8173 - Preach Magazine - Issue 1 v3.indd 7 17/10/2014 12:53:36

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To listen to the full interview, visit www.preachweb.org

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THERE IS A FUNDAMENTAL references to imagination are mostly There is a fundamental theological

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application? How much illustration If preaching can validly be described

LWPT8173 - Preach Magazine - Issue 1 v3.indd 13 17/10/2014 12:53:40

Bargain Buy! Now

Both creativity and illustration can,

In conclusion I would have to state

LWPT8173 - Preach Magazine - Issue 1 v3.indd 14 17/10/2014 12:53:45

COLUMNIST DAVID HULL

The Joy of Preaching

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LWPT8173 - Preach Magazine - Issue 1 v3.indd 17 17/10/2014 12:53:48

JS Do you think the sermon is still

PHILIP YANCEYS The sermon is certainly valid, but

I can think of two ways. The

JS You mentioned people who just

Author of over 20 books Most preachers I know dont

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LWPT8173 - Preach Magazine - Issue 1 v3.indd 19 17/10/2014 12:53:48

JS That is quite a statement in You may have heard this phrase:

An Italian immigrant, he spoke

Ill mention one other chapel service

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THE TRUTH IS, WHILE YOUR

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TO WHAT DEGREE DOES CONTEXT SHAPE THE MESSAGE?

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When Pastor Michael Ekwulugos church moved to a

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Lynn MCCann Mike Collyer

IVE WORKED WITH AUTISTIC I THINK ANY PREACHER SHOULD

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Pastor Michael Ekwulugos

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View from the pew

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He now makes a series of good

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This is, in every sense, a big book. It is a very

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